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The Fortunes of Nigel ^ ^ 

^ ^ by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. 



Chicago and New York ♦♦♦ 
Rand, McNally & Company 



4 8 65 5 5 

JUL 1 7 1942 

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INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


But why should lordlings all our praise engross ? 

Rise, honest muse, and sing the Man of Ross. 

Pope. 

Having, in the tale of the Heart of Midlothian, succeeded 
in some degree in awakening an interest in behalf of one 
devoid of those accomplishments which belong to a heroine 
almost by right, I was next tempted to choose a hero upon the 
same unpromising plan; and as worth of character, goodness 
of heart, and rectitude of principle were necessary to one who 
laid no claim to high birth, romantic sensibility, or any of the 
usual accomplishments of those who strut through the pages 
of this sort of composition, I made free with the name of a per- 
son who has left the most magnificent proofs of his benevo- 
lence and charity that the capital of Scotland has to display. 

To the Scottish reader little more need be said than that 
the man alluded to is George Heriot. But for those south of 
the Tweed it may be necessary to add, that the person so 
named was a wealthy citizen of Edinburgh, and the king^s 
goldsmith, who followed James to the English capital, and 
was so successful in his profession as to die, in 1624, ex- 
tremely wealthy for that period. He had no children; and 
after making a full provision for such relations as might have 
claims upon him, he left the residue of his fortune to establish 
an hospital, in which the sons of Edinburgh freemen are gra- 
tuitously brought up and educated for the station to which their 
talents may recommend them, and are finally enabled to enter 
life under respectable auspices. The hospital * in which this 
charity is maintained is a noble quadrangle of the Gothic or- 

» See George Heriot’s Hospital. Note 1. 

5 


6 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


der, and as ornamental to the city as a building as the manner 
in which the youths are provided for and educated renders it 
useful to the community as an institution. To the honour of 
those who have the management (the magistrates and clergy 
of Edinburgh), the funds of the hospital have increased so 
much Under their care that it now: supports and educates one 
hundred and thirty youths annually, many of whom have done 
honour to their country in different situations. 

The founder of such a charity as this may be reasonably 
supposed to have walked through life with a steady pace and 
an observant eye, neglecting no opportunity of assisting those 
who were not possessed of the experience necessary for their 
own guidance. In supposing his efforts directed to the benefit 
of a young nobleman, misguided by the aristocratic haughti- 
ness of his own time, and the prevailing tone of selfish luxury 
which seems more peculiar to ours, as well as the seductions 
of pleasure which are predominant in all, some amusement, or 
even some advantage, might, I thought, be derived from the 
manner in which I might bring the exertions of this civic 
mentor to bear in his pupiTs behalf. I am, I own, no great 
believer in the moral utility to be derived from fictitious com- 
positions ; yet, if in any case a word spoken in season may be 
of advantage to a young person, it must surely' be when it calls 
upon him to attend to the voice of principle and self-denial, 
instead of that of precipitate passion. I could not, indeed, 
hope or expect to represent my prudent and benevolent citizen 
in a point of view so interesting as that of the peasant girl, 
who nobly sacrificed her family affections to the integrity of 
her moral character. Still, however, something I hoped might 
be done not altogether unworthy the fame which George Heriot 
has secured, by the lasting benefits he has bestowed on his 
country. 

It appeared likely that, out of this simple plot, I might 
weave something attractive; because the reign of James I., in 
which George Heriot flourished, gave unbounded scope to in- 
vention in the fable, while at the same time it afforded greater 
variety and discrimination of character than could, with his- 
torical consistency, have been introduced, if the scene had 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 7 


been laid a century earlier. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu has 
said, with equal ti:uth and taste, that the most romantic region 
of every country is that where the mountains unite themselves 
with the plains or lowlands. For similar reasons, it may be 
in like manner said that the most picturesque period of history 
is that when the ancient rough and wild manners of a barbarous 
age are just becoming innovated upon and contrasted by the 
illumination of increased or revived learning and the instruc- 
tions of renewed or reformed religion. The strong contrast 
produced by the opposition of ancient manners to those which 
are gradually subduing them affords the lights and shadows 
necessary to give effect to a fictitious narrative; and while 
such a period entitles the author to introduce incidents of a 
marvellous and improbable character, as arising out of the tur- 
bulent independence and ferocity, belonging to old habits of 
violence, still influencing the manners of a people who had been 
so lately in a barbarous state ; yet, on the other hand, the char- 
acters and sentiments of many of the actors may, with the 
utmost probability, be described with great variety of shading 
and delineation, which belongs to the newer and more improved 
period, of which the world has but lately received the light. 

The reign of James I. of England possessed this advantage 
in a peculiar degree. Some beams of chivalry, although its 
planet had been for some time set, continued to animate and 
gild the horizon, and although probably no one acted pre- 
cisely on its Quixotic dictates, men and women still talked the 
chivalrous language of Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia; and the 
ceremonial of the tilt-yard was yet exhibited, though it now 
only flourished as a place de carrousel. Here and there a high- 
spirited Knight of the Bath (witness the too scrupulous Lord 
Herbert of Cherbury) was found devoted enough to the vows 
he had taken to imagine himself obliged to compel, by the 
sword’s point, a fellow-knight or squire to restore the topknot 
of ribbon which he had stolen from a fair damsel ; ’ but yet, 
while men were taking each other’s lives on such punctilios 
of honour, the hour was already arrived when Bacon was about 
to teach the world that they were no longer to reason from au- 
* See Lord Herbert of Cherbury’ s Memoirs. 


8 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


thority to fact, but to establish truth by advancing from fact 
to fact, till they fixed an indisputable authority, not from hy- 
pothesis, but from experiment. 

The state of society in the reign of James I. was also strange- 
ly disturbed, and the license of a part of the community was 
perpetually giving rise to acts of blood and violence. The 
bravo of the Queen^s day, of whom Shakespeare has given us 
so many varieties, as Bardolph, Nym, Pistol, Peto, and the 
other companions of Palstaff, men who had their humours, or 
their particular turn of extravaganza, had, since the commence- 
ment of the Low Country wars, given way to a race of sword- 
ers, who used the rapier and dagger instead of the far less 
dangerous sword and buckler j so that a historian says on this 
subject — 

That private quarrels were nourished, but especially between the Scots 
and the English, and duels in every street maintained ; divers sects and 
particular titles passed unpunished nor regarded, as the sect of the roar- 
ing boys, bonaventors, bravadors, quarterors, and such-like, being per- 
sons prodigal and of grea expense, when, having run themselves into 
debt, were constrained to run into factions, to defend themselves from 
danger of the law. These received maintenance from divers of the nobil- 
ity .. . and the citizens through lasciviousness consuming their estates, 
it was like that their number [of these desperadoes] would rather increase 
than diminish ; and under these pretences they entered into many desper- 
ate enterprises, and scarce any durst walk the street? after nine at night. 

The same authority assures us farther that — 

Ancient gentlemen, that had left their inheritance whole and well fur- 
nished with goods and chattels (having thereupon kept good houses) unto 
their sons, lived to see part consumed in riot and excess, and the rest in 
possibility to be utterly lost ; the holy state of matrimony made but a 
May-game, by which means divers private families have been subverted, 
brothel houses much frequented, and even great persons prostituting their 
bodies to the intent to satisfy their lusts, and consume their substance in 
lascivious appetites. And of all sorts, such knights or gentlemen, as 
either through pride or prodigality had consumed their substance, repair- 
ing to the city, and to the intent to consume thei- virtues also, lived disso- 
lute lives ; and many of their ladies and daughters, to the intent to main- 
tain themselves according to their dignity, prostitute their bodies in 
shameful manner ; ale-houses, dicing-houses, taverns, and places of vice 
and iniquity beyond measure abounding in most places.* 

Nor is it only in the pages of a Puritanical, perhaps a satir- 

* Narrative History of the First Fourteen Years of King James's Reign, in 
Somers’s Tracts, edited by Scott, vol. ii. p. 266. 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 9 


ical, writer that we find so shocking and disgusting a picture 
of the coarseness of the beginning of the 17th century. On 
the contrary, in all the comedies of the age, the principal 
character for gaiety and wit is a young heir who has totally 
altered the establishment of the father to whom he has suc- 
ceeded, and, to use the old simile, who resembles a fountain 
which plays off in idleness and extravagance the wealth which 
its careful parents painfully had assembled in hidden reser- 
voirs. 

And yet, while that spirit of general extravagance seemed 
at work over a whole kingdom, another and very different sort 
of men were gradually forming the staid and resolved charac- 
ters which afterwards displayed themselves during the civil 
wars, and powerfully regulated and affected the character of 
the whole English nation, until, rushing from one extreme to 
another, they sunk in a gloomy fanaticism the splendid traces 
of the reviving fine arts. 

From the quotations which I have produced, the selfish and 
disgusting conduct of Lord Dalgarno will not perhaps appear 
overstrained ; nor will the scenes in Whitefriars and places of 
similar resort seem too highly coloured. This indeed is far 
from being the case. It was in James I.’s reign that vice first 
appeared affecting the better classes in its gross and undis- 
guised depravity. The entertainments and amusements of 
Elizabeth’s time had an air of that decent restraint which be- 
came the court of a maiden sovereign; and in that earlier 
period, to use the words of Burke, vice lost half its evil by 
being deprived of all its grossness. In James’s reign, on the 
contrary, the coarsest pleasures were publicly and unlimitedly 
indulged, since, according to Sir John Harrington, the men 
wallowed in beastly delights ; and even ladies abandoned their 
delicacy and rolled about in intoxication. After a ludicrous 
account of a masque, in which the actors had got drunk and 
behaved themselves accordingly, he adds : “ I have much mar- 
velled at these strange pageantries, and they do bring to my 
remembrance what passed of this sort in our Queen’s days, of 
which I was sometime an humble presenter and assistant ; but 
I never did see such lack of good order, discretion, and so- 


10 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


briety as I have now done. . . . The gunpowder fright is got 
out of all our heads, and' we are going on hereabouts as if the 
devil was contriving every man should blow up himself by 
wild riot, excess, and devastation of time and temperance. 
The great ladies do go well masqued ; and, indeed, it be the 
only show of their modesty to conceal their countenance ; but 
alack, they meet with such countenance to uphold their strange 
doings, that I marvel not at aught that happens.’’ ^ 

Such being the state of the court, coarse sensuality brought 
along with it its ordinary companion, a brutal degree of undis- 
guised selfishness, destructive alike of philanthropy and good- 
breeding ; both of which, in their several spheres, depend upon 
the regard paid by each individual to the interest as well as 
the feelings of others. It is in such a time that the heartless 
and shameless man of wealth and power may, like the sup- 
posed Lord Dalgarno, brazen out the shame of his villainies, 
and afiect to triumph in their consequences, so long as they 
were personally advantageous to his own pleasures or profit. 

Alsatia is elsewhere explained as a cant name for White- 
friars, which, possessing certain privileges of sanctuary, be- 
came for that reason a nest of those mischievous characters 
who were generally obnoxious to the law. These privileges 
were derived from its having been an establishment of the 
Carmelites, or White Friars, founded, says Stow, in his Sur- 
vey of London^ by Sir Richard Grey, in 1241. Edward I. 
gave them a plot of ground in Fleet Street, to build their 
church upon. The edifice, then erected, was rebuilt by Court- 
ney, Earl of Devonshire, in the reign of Edward III. In the 
time of the Reformation the place retained its immunities as 
a sanctuary, and James I. confirmed and added to them by a 
charter in 1608. Shadwell was the first author who made some 
literary use of Whitefriars, in his play of the Squire of Alsa- 
tiay which turns upon the plot of the Adelphi of Terence. 

In this old play, two men of fortune, brothers, educate two 
young men, sons to the one and nephews to the other, each 
under his own separate system of rigour and indulgence. The 
elder of the subjects of this experiment, who has been very 
^ See Debauchery of the Period. Note 2. 


IJNTKODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 11 


rigidly brought up, falls at once into all the vices of the town, 
is debauched by the cheats and bullies of Whitefriars, and, in 
a word, becames the Squire of Alsatia. The poet gives, as 
the natural and congenial inhabitants of the place, such char- 
acters as the reader will find in Note 3.* The play, as we 
learn from the dedication to the Earl of Dorset and Middle- 
sex, was successful above the author’s expectations, “no 
comedy for these many years having filled the theatre so long 
together. And I had the great honour,” continues Shadwell, 
“ to find so many friends, that the house was never so full 
since it was built as upon the third day of this play, and vast 
numbers went away that could not be admitted.” “ From the 
Squire of Alsatia the Author derived some few hints, and 
learned the footing on which the bullies and thieves of the 
sanctuary stood with their neighbours, the fiery young stu- 
dents of the Temple, of which some intimation is given in the 
dramatic piece. 

Such are the materials to which the Author stands indebted 
for the composition of the Fortunes of Nigel, a novel which 
may be perhaps one of those that are more amusing on a sec- 
ond perusal than when read a first time for the sake of the 
story, the incidents of which are few and meagre. 

The Introductory Epistle is written, in Lucio’s phrase, “ ac- 
cording to the trick, ” and would never have appeared had the 
writer meditated making his avowal of the work.® As it is 
the privilege of a masque or incognito to speak in a feigned 
voice and assumed character, the Author attempted, while in 
disguise, some liberties of the same sort ; and while he con- 
tinues to plead upon the various excuses which the Introduc- 
tion contains, the present acknowledgment must serve as an 
apology for a species of “ hoity toity, whisky frisky” pertness 
of manner, which, in his avowed character, the Author should 
have considered as a departure from the rules of civility and 
good taste. 

Abbotsford, Ut July 1831. 

^ See Alsatian Characters. Note 3. 

» Dedication to the Squire of Alsatia, Shadwell’s Works, vol. iv. 

3 [See Lockhart’s Life, vol. vi. p. 407 and vol. vii. p. 26.] 



INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE 


CAPTAIN CLUTTBBBUCK 

TO 

THE REVEREND DR. DRYASDUST. 

Dear Sir: 

I readily accept of, and reply to, the civilities with 
which you have been pleased to honour me in your obliging 
letter, and entirely agree with your quotation, of “ Quam 
honum et quam jucundumP^ We may indeed esteem our- 
selves as come of the same family, or, according to our coun- 
try proverb, as being aU one man’s bairns; and there needed 
no apology on your part, reverend and dear sir, for demand- 
ing of me any information which I may be able to supply re- 
specting the subject of your curiosity. The interview which 
you allude to took place in the course of last winter, and is 
so deeply imprinted on my recollection that it requires no 
effort to collect all its most minute details. 

You are aware that the share which I had in introducing 
the romance called The Monastery to public notice has given 
me a sort of character in the literature of our Scottish metrop- 
olis. I no longer stand in the outer shop of our bibliopolists, 
bargaining for the objects of. my curiosity with an unrespec- 
tive shop-lad, hustled among boys who come to buy Corderies * 
and copy-books, and servant-girls cheapening a pennyworth 
of paper, but am cordially welcomed by the bibliopolist him- 
self, with, “Pray, walk into the back shop, captain. Boy, 
get a chair for Captain Clutterbuck. There is the newspaper, 

* One of the most common school-books of the last century — Colloquiorum 
Centuria Selecta Maturini Corderii {Laing). 

13 


14 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


captain — to-day’s paper”; or, “Here is the last new work; 
there is a folder, make free with the leaves” ; or, “ Put it in 
your pocket and carry it home”; or, “We will make a book- 
seller of you, sir, you shall have it at trade price.” Or, per- 
haps, if it is the worthy trader’s own publication, his liber- 
ality may even extend itself to — “ Never mind booking such 
a trifle to you^ sir; it is an over-copy. Pray, mention the 
work to your reading friends.” I say nothing of the snug, 
well-selected literary party arranged round a turbot, leg of 
five-year-old mutton, or some such gear, or of the circulation 
of a quiet bottle of Robert Cockburn’s ' choicest black — nay, 
perhaps of his best blue — to quicken our talk about old books, 
or our plans for new ones. All these are comforts reserved to 
such as are freemen of the corporation of letters, and I have 
the advantage of enjoying them in perfection. 

But all things change under the sun ; and it is with no ordi- 
nary feelings of regret that, in my annual visits to the me- 
tropolis, I now miss the social and warm-hearted welcome of 
the quick-witted and kindly friend who first introduced me 
to the public, who had more original wit than would have set 
up a dozen of professed sayers of good things, and more racy 
humour than would have made the fortune of as many more. 
To this great deprivation has been added, I trust for a time 
only, the loss of another bibliopolical friend,® whose vigorous 
intellect and liberal ideas have not only rendered his native 
country the mart of her own literature, but established there 
a court of letters, which must command respect, even from 
those most inclined to dissent from many of its canons. The 
effect of these changes, operated in a great measure by the 
strong seAse and sagacious calculations of an individual who 
knew how to avail himself, to an unhoped-for extent, of the 
various kinds of talent which his country produced, will prob- 
ably appear more clearly to the generation which shall follow 
the present. 

> Late wine-merchant in Edinburgh ( Laing ) . 

“Mr. John Ballantyne, bookseller {Laing). See Bride of Lammermoor, 
Note 3, p. 360. 

“ Mr. Archibald Constable 'Laing). 


INTRODUCTION TO THE EORTUNES OF NIGEL. 15 


I entered the shop at the Cross, to inquire after the health 
of my worthy friend, and learned with satisfaction that his 
residence in the south had abated the rigour of the symptoms 
of his disorder. Availing myself, then, of the privileges to 
which I have alluded, I strolled onward in that labyrinth of 
small dark rooms or crypts, to speak our own antiquarian lan- 
guage, which form the extensive back-settlements of that cele- 
brated publishing-house. Yet, as I proceeded from one ob- 
scure recess to another, filled, some of them with old volumes, 
some with such as, from the equality of their rank on the 
shelves, I suspected to be the less saleable modern books of 
the concern, I could not help feeling a holy horror creep upon 
me, when I thought of the risk of intruding on some ecstatic 
bard giving vent to his poetical fury ; or, it might be, on the 
yet more formidable privacy of a band of critics, in the act of 
worrying the game which they had just run down. In such a 
supposed case, I felt by anticipation the horrors of the High- 
land seers, whom their gift of deuteroscopy compels to witness 
things unmeet for mortal eye; and who, to use the expression 
of Collins, 

Heartless, oft, like moody madness, stare. 

To see the phantom train their secret work prepare. 

Still, however, the irresistible impulse of an undefined curi- 
osity drove me on through this succession of darksome cham- 
bers, till, like the jeweller of Delhi in the house of the magi- 
cian Bennaskar, I at length reached a vaulted room, dedicated 
to secrecy and silence, and beheld, seated by a lamp, and em- 
ployed in reading a blotted revise, ‘ the person, or perhaps I 
should rather say the eidolon, or representative vision, of the 
Author of ‘‘ Waverley^^ ! You will not be surprised at the 
filial instinct which enabled me at once to acknowledge the 
features borne by this venerable apparition, and that I at 
once bended the knee, with the classical salutation of Salve^ 
magne parent ! The vision, however, cut me short by point- 
ing to a seat, intimating at the same time that my presence 
was not unexpected, and that he had something to say to me. 

* The uninitiated must be informed that u second proof-sheet is so called. 


16 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


I sat down with humble obedience, and endeavoured to note 
the features of him with whom I now found myself so unex- 
pectedly in society. But on this point I can give your rev- 
erence no satisfaction ; for, besides the obscurity of the apart- 
ment, and the fluttered state of my own nerves, I seemed to 
myself overwhelmed by a sense of filial awe, which prevented 
jmy noting and recording what it is probable the personage be- 
'fore me might most desire to have concealed. Indeed, his 
figure was so closely veiled and wimpled, either with a mantle, 
morning-gown, or some such loose garb, that the verses of 
Spenser might well have been applied : 

Yet, certes, by her face and physnomy, 

Whether she man or woman only were, 

That could not any creature well descry. 

I must, however, go on as I have begun, to apply the mas- 
culine gender; for, notwithstanding very ingenious reasons, 
and indeed something like positive evidence, have been offered 
to prove the Author of Waverley to be two ladies of talent, I 
must abide by the general opinion, that he is of the rougher 
sex. There are in his writings too many things 

Quae maribus sola tribuuntur, 

to permit me to entertain any doubt on that subject. I will 
proceed, in the manner of dialogue, to repeat as nearly as I 
can what passed betwixt us, only observing that, in the course 
of the conversation, my timidity imperceptibly gave way un- 
der the familiarity of his address ; and that, in the concluding 
part of our dialogue, I perhaps argued with fully as much con- 
fidence as was beseeming. 

Author of Waverley. I was willing to see you. Captain 
Clutterbuck, being the person of my family whom I have 
most regard for, since the death of Jedediah Cleishbotham; 
and I am afraid I may have done you some wrong in assign- 
ing to you The Monastery as a portion of my effects. I have 
some thoughts of making it up to you, by naming you god- 
father to this yet unborn babe — (he indicated the proof-sheet 
with his finger). But first, touching The Monastery — how 
says the world? You are abroad and can learn. 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 17 


Captain Clutterbuck. Hem ! hem ! The inquiry is delicate. 
I have not heard any complaints from the publishers. 

Author. That is the principal matter; but yet an indiffer- 
ent work is sometimes towed on by those which have left har- 
bour before it, with the breeze in their poop. What say the 
critics? 

Captain. There is a general — feeling — that the White Lady 
is no favourite. 

Author. I think she is a failure myself ; but rather in exe- 
cution than conception. Could I have evoked an esprit f Jlet, 
at the same time fantastic and interesting, capricious and kind j 
a sort of wildfire of the elements, bound by no fixed laws or 
motives of action, faithful and fond, yet teasing and uncer- 
tain — 

Captain. If you will pardon the interruption, sir, I think 
you are describing a pretty woman. 

Author. On my word, I elieve I am. I must invest my 
elementary spirits with a li Je human fiesh and bloot' : they 
are too fine-drawn for the present taste of the public. 

Captain. They object, too, that the object of your nixie 
ought to have been more unifori .Iy noble. Her ducking the 
priest was no Naiad-like amusement. 

Author. Ah ! they ought to allow for the capriccios of what 
is, after all, but a better sort f goblin. The bath into which 
Ariel, the most delicate creati' n of Shakspeare^s imagination, 
seduces our jolly friend Trinculo, was not of amber or rose- 
water. But no one shall find me rowing against the stream. 
I care not who knows it, I write for general amusement ; and, 
though I never will aim at popularity by what I think un- 
worthy means, I will not, on the other hand, be pertinacious 
in the defence of my own errors against the voice of the 
public. 

Captain. You abandon, then, in the present work (looking, 
in my turn, towards the proof-sheet), the mystic, and the 
magical, and the whole system of signs, wonders, and omens? 
There are no dreams, or presages, or obscure allusions to 
future events? 

Author. Not a Cock Lane scratch, my son — not one bounce 

2 


18 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


on the drum of Tedworth — not so much as the poor tick of a 
solitary death-watch in the wainscot. All is clear and above 
board : a Scots metaphysician might believe every word of it. 

Captain. And the story is, I hope, natural and probable; 
commencing strikingly, proceeding naturally, ending happily, 
like the course of a famed river, which gushes from the mouth 
of some obscure and romantic grotto ; then gliding on, never 
pausing, never precipitating its course, visiting, as it were, 
by natural instinct, whatever worthy subjects of interest are 
presented by the country through which it passes ; widening 
and deepening in interest as it flows on; and at length arriv- 
ing at the final catastrophe as at some mighty haven, where 
ships of all kinds strike sail and yard? 

Author. Hey! hey! what the deuce is all this? Why, ’tis 
Ercles’s vein, and it would require some one much more like 
Hercules than I to produce a story which should gush, and 
glide, and never pause, and visit, and widen, and deepen, and 
all the rest on’ t. I should be chin-deep in the grave, man, 
before I had done with my task ; and, in the mean while, all 
the quirks and quiddities which I might have devised for my 
reader’s amusement would lie rotting in my gizzard, like 
Sancho’s suppressed witticisms, when he was under his mas- 
ter’s displeasure. There never was a novel written on this 
plan while the world stood. 

Captain. Pardon me — Tom Jones. 

Author. True, and perhaps Amelia also. Fielding had 
high notions of the dignity of an art which he may be consid- 
ered as having found. He challenges a comparison between 
the novel and the epic. Smollett, Le Sage, and others, emanci- 
pating themselves from the strictness of the rules he has laid 
down, have written rather a history of the miscellaneous ad- 
ventures which befall an individual in the course of life than 
the plot of a regular and connected epopoeia, where every step 
brings us a point nearer to the final catastrophe. These great 
masters have been satisfied if they amused the reader upon the 
road ; though the conclusion only arrived because the tale must 
have an end, just as the traveller alights at the inn because it 
is evening. 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 19 


Captain. A very commodious mode of travelling, for the 
author at least. In short, sir, you are of opinion with Bayes : 
“ What the devil does the plot signify, except to bring in 
line things?’’ 

Author. Grant that I were so, and that I should write with 
sense and spirit a few scenes unlaboured and loosely put to- 
gether, but which had sufficient interest in them to amuse in 
one corner the pain of body j in another, to relieve anxiety of 
mind; in a third place, to un wrinkle a brow bent with the 
furrows of daily toil; in another, to fill the place of bad 
thoughts, or to suggest better ; in yet another, to induce an 
idler to study the history of his country ; in all, save where 
the perusal interrupted the discharge of serious duties, to fur- 
nish harmless amusement — might not the author of such a 
work, however inartificially executed, plead for his errors and 
negligences the excuse of the slave, who, about to be punished 
for having spread the false report of a victory, saved himself 
by exclaiming : “ Am I to blame, 0 Athenians, who have given 
you one happy day?” 

Captain. Will your goodness permit me to mention an an- 
ecdote of my excellent grandmother? 

Author. I see little she can have to do with the subject. 
Captain Clutterbuck. 

Captain. It may come into our dialogue on Bayes’s plan. 
The sagacious old lady— rest her soul! — was a good friend to 
the church, and could never hear a minister maligned by evil 
tongues without taking his part warmly. There was one fixed 
point, however, at which she always abandoned the cause of 
her reverend protege: it was so soon as she learned he had 
preached a regular sermon against slanderers and backbiters. 

Author. And what is that to the purpose? 

Captain. Only that I have heard engineers say that one 
may betray the weak point to the enemy by too much osten- 
tation of fortifying it. 

Author. And, once more I pray, what is that to the pur- 
pose? 

Captain. Nay, then, without farther metaphor, I am afraid 
this new production, in which your generosity seems willing 


20 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


to give me some concern, will stand much in need of apology, 
since you think proper to begin your defence before the case 
is on trial. The story is hastily huddled up ; I will venture 
a pint of claret. 

Author . A pint of port, I suppose you mean? 

Captain, I say of claret — good claret of the monastery. 
Ah, sir, would you but take the advice of your friends, and 
try to deserve at least one-half of the public favour you have 
met with, we might all drink Tokay ! 

Author, I care not what I drink, so the liquor be whole- 
some. 

Captain, Care for your reputation, then — for your fame. 

Author, My fame ! I will answer you as a very ingenious, 
able, and experienced friend, being counsel for the notorious 
Jem MacCoul, replied to the opposite side of the bar, when 
they laid weight on his client’s refusing to answer certain 
queries, which they said any man who had a regard for his 
reputation would not hesitate to reply to. “ My client, ” said 
he — by the way, Jem was standing behind him at the time, 
and a rich scene it was — “ is so unfortunate as to have no 
regard for his reputation ; and I should deal very uncandidly 
with the court should I say he had any that was worth his at- 
tention.” I am, though from very different reasons, in Jem’s 
happy state of indifference. Let fame follow those who have 
a substantial shape. A shadow — and an impersonal author is 
nothing better — can cast no shade. 

Captain, You are not now, perhaps, so impersonal as here- 
tofore. These Letters ® to the Member for the University of 
Oxford 

Author, Show the wit, genius, and delicacy of the author, 
which I heartily wish to see engaged on a subject of more im- 
portance ; and show, besides, that the preservation of my char- 
acter of incognito has engaged early talent in the discussion of 
a curious question of evidence. But a cause, however ingeni- 

* This character was a native of London, who was tried and convicted in 
1820 of robbing a Glasgow bank of £20,000 (Laing). 

2 Letters to Richard Heber, Esq., Member for the University of Oxford, con- 
taining Critical Remarks on the Waver ley Novels, and an Attempt to ascertain the 
Author. By J. L. Adolphus, Lond. 1821 {Laing). 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 21 

ously pleaded, is not therefore gained. You may remember 
the neatly -wrought chain of circumstantial evidence, so artifi- 
cially brought forward to prove Sir Philip Francis’s title to 
the Letters of Junius^ seemed at first irrefragable; yet the in- 
fluence of the reasoning has passed away, and Junius, in the 
general opinion, is as much unknown as ever. But on this 
subject I will not be soothed or provoked into saying one word 
more. To say who I am not would be one step towards say- 
ing who I am ; and as I desire not, any more than a certain 
justice of peace mentioned by Shenstone, the noise or report 
such things make in the world, I shall continue to be silent 
on a subject which, in my opinion, is very undeserving the 
noise that has been made about it, and still more unworthy of 
the serious employment of such ingenuity as has been displayed 
by the young letter-writer. 

Captain. But allowing, my dear sir, that you care not for 
your personal reputation, or for that of any literary person 
upon whose shoulders your faults may be visited, allow me to 
say that common gratitude to the public, which has received you 
so kindly, and to the critics who have treated you so leniently, 
ought to induce you to bestow more pains on your story. 

Author. I do entreat you, my son, as Dr. Johnson would 
have said, “ free your mind from cant. ” For the critics, they 
have their business, and I mine ; as the nursery proverb goes : 

The children in Holland take pleasure in making 

What the children in England take pleasure in breaking. 

I am their humble jackal, too busy in providing food for them 
to have time for considering whether they swallow or reject 
it. To the public I stand pretty nearly in the relation of the 
postman who leaves a packet at the door of an individual. If 
it contains pleasing intelligence — a billet from a mistress, a 
letter from an absent son, a remittance from a correspondent 
supposed to be bankrupt — the letter is acceptably welcome, 
and read and re-read, folded up, filed, and safely deposited 
in the bureau. If the contents are disagreeable, if it comes 
from a dun or from a bore, the correspondent is cursed, the 
letter is thrown into the fire, and the expense of postage is 


22 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


heartily regretted ; while all the time the bearer of the des- 
patches is, in either case, as little thought on as the snow 
of last Christmas. The utmost extent of kindness between 
the author and the public which can really exist is, that the 
world are disposed to be somewhat indulgent to the succeed- 
ing works of an original favourite, were it but on account of 
the habit which the public mind has acquired ; while the au- 
thor very naturally thinks well of their taste who have so lib- 
erally applauded his productions. But I deny there is any call 
for gratitude, properly so called, either on one side or the other. 

Captain. Respect to yourself, then, ought to teach caution. 

Author. Ay, if caution could augment the chance of my 
success. But, to confess to you the truth, the works and pas- 
sages in which I have succeeded have uniformly been written 
with the greatest rapidity ; and when I have seen some of these 
placed in opposition with others, and commended as more 
highly finished, I could appeal to pen and standish that the 
parts in which I have come feebly off were by much the more 
laboured. Besides, I doubt the beneficial effect of too much 
delay, both on account of the author and the public. A man 
should strike while the iron is hot, and hoist sail while the 
wind is fair. If a successful author keep not the stage, an- 
other instantly takes his ground. If a writer lie by for ten 
years ere he produces a second work, he is superseded by others ; 
or, if the age is so poor of genius that this does not happen, 
his own reputation becomes his greatest obstacle. The public 
will expect the new work to be ten times better than its pre- 
decessor; the author will expect it should be ten times more 
popular, and Tis a hundred to ten that both are disappointed. 

Captain. This may justify a certain degree of rapidity in 
publication, but not that which is proverbially said to be no 
speed. You should take time at least to arrange your story. 

Author. That is a sore point with me, my son. Believe me, 
I have not been fool enough to neglect ordinary precautions. 
I have repeatedly laid down my future work to scale, divided 
it into volumes and chapters, and endeavoured to construct a 
story which I meant should evolve itself gradually and strik- 
ingly, maintain suspense, and stimulate curiosity ; and which, 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 23 


finally, should terminate in a striking catastrophe. But I 
think there is a demon who seats himself on the feather of 
my pen when I begin to write, and leads it astray from the 
purpose. Characters expand under my hand; incidents are 
multiplied; the story lingers, while the materials increase; 
my regular mansion turns out a Gothic anomaly, and the work 
is closed long before I have attained the point 1 proposed. 

Cajptain. Resolution and determined forbearance might rem- 
edy that evil. 

Author. Alas! my dear sir, you do not know the force of 
paternal affection. When I light on such a character as Bailie 
Jarvie, or Dalgetty, my imagination brightens, and my con- 
ception becomes clearer at every step which I take in his com- 
pany, although it leads me many a weary mile away from the 
regular road, and forces me to leap hedge and ditch to get back 
into the route again. If I resist the temptation, as you advise 
me, my thoughts become prosy, flat, and dull ; I write painfully 
to myself, and under a consciousness of flagging which makes 
me flag still more ; the sunshine with which fancy had in- 
vested the incidents departs from them, and leaves everything 
dull and gloomy. I am no more the same author I was in my 
better mood than the dog in a wheel, condemned to go round 
and round for hours, is like the same dog merrily chasing his 
own tail, and gambolling in all the frolic of unrestrained free- 
dom. In short, sir, on such occasions I think I am bewitched. 

Captain. Nay, sir, if you plead sorcery, there is no more to 
be said : he must needs go whom the devil drives. And this, 
I suppose, sir, is the reason why you do not make the theatri- 
cal attempt to which you have been so often urged?” 

Author. It may pass for one good reason for not writing a 
play, that I cannot form a plot. But the truth is, that the 
idea adopted by too favourable judges, of my having some 
aptitude for that department of poetry, has been much found- 
ed on those scraps of old plays which, being taken from a source 
inaccessible to collectors, they have hastily considered the off- 
spring of my mother-wit. Now, the manner in which I be- 
came possessed of these fragments is so extraordinary that I 
cannot help telling it to you. 


24 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


You must know that, some twenty years since, I went down 
to visit an old friend in Worcestershire, who had served with 
me in the Dragoons. 

Captain, Then you have served, sir? 

Author, I have — or I have not, which signifies the same 
thing ; captain is a good travelling name. I found my friend’s 
house unexpectedly crowded with guests, and, as usual, was 
condemned — the mansion being an old one — to the haunted 
apartment. I have, as a great modern said, seen too many 
ghosts to believe in them, so betook myself seriously to my 
repose, lulled by the wind rustling among the lime-trees, the 
branches of which chequered the moonlight which fell on the 
floor through the diamonded casement, when, behold, a darker 
shadow interposed itself, and I beheld visibly on the floor of 
the apartment 

Captain. The White Lady of Avenel, I suppose? You 
have told the very story before. 

Author. No — I beheld a female form, with mob-cap, bib, 
and apron, sleeves tucked up to the elbow, a dredging-box in 
the one hand, and in the other a sauce-ladle. I concluded, of 
course, that it was my friend’s cook-maid walking in her 
sleep; and as I knew he had a value for Sally, who could 
toss a pancake with any girl in the country, I got up to con- 
duct her safely to the door. But as I approached her, she 
said, “Hold, sir! I am not what you take me for” — words 
which seemed so apposite to the circumstances, that I should 
not have much minded them, had it not been for the pecu- 
liarly hollow sound in which they were uttered. “ Know, then, ” 
she said, in the same unearthly accents, “ that I am the spirit 
of Betty Barnes.” “ Who hanged herself for love of the stage- 
coachman,” thought I ; “ this is a proper spot of work!” “ Of 
that unhappy Elizabeth or Betty Barnes, long cook-maid to 
Mr. Warburton, the painful collector, but ah! the too careless 
custodier, of the largest collection of ancient plays ever known 
— of most of which the titles only are left to gladden the 
Prolegomena of the Variorum Shakspeare. Yes, stranger, it 
was these ill-fated hands that consigned to grease and confla- 
gration the scores of small quartos, which, did they now exist. 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 25 


would drive the whole Roxburghe Club out of their senses ; it 
was these unhappy pickers and stealers that singed fat fowls 
and wiped dirty trenchers with the lost works of Beaumont and 
Fletcher, Massinger, Jonson, Webster — what shall I say? even 
of Shakspeare himself! 

Like every dramatic antiquary, my ardent curiosity after 
some play named in the book of the Master of Revels had 
often been checked by finding the object of my research num- 
bered amongst the holocaust of victims which this imhappy 
woman had sacrificed to the God of Good Cheer. It is no 
wonder then, that, like the Hermit of Parnell, 

I broke the bands of fear and madly cried, 

“ You careless jade ! ” But scarce the words began, 

When Betty brandish’d high her saucing-pan. 

“ Beware, ” she said, “ you do not, by your ill-timed anger, 
cut off the opportunity I yet have to indemnify the world for 
the errors of my ignorance. In yonder coal-hole, not used for 
many a year, repose the few greasy and blackened fragments 
of the elder drama which were not totally destroyed. Do 

thou then ” Why, what do you stare at, captain? By 

my soul, it is true; as my friend Major Longbow says, “ What 
should I tell you a lie for?” 

Captain. Lie, sir! Nay, Heaven forbid I should apply the 
word to a person so veracious. You are only inclined to chase 
your tail a little this morning, that’s all. Had you not better 
reserve this legend to form an introduction to Three Recovered 
Dramas^ or so? 

Author. You are quite right; habit’s a strange thing, my 
son. I had forgot whom I was speaking to. - Yes, plays for 
the closet, not for the stage 

Captain. Right, and so you are sure to be acted ; for the 
managers, while thousands of volunteers are desirous of serv- 
ing them, are wonderfully partial to pressed men. 

Author. I am a living witness, having been, like a second 
Laberius, made a dramatist whether I would or not. I be- 
lieve my muse would be Terryfied ’ into treading the stage, 
even if I should write a sermon. 

^ A jocular allusion to the Author’s friend Daniel Terry, a celebrated 
comedian, who dramatized more than one of the Waverley Novels, which 


26 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Captain, Truly, if you did, I am afraid folks might make 
a farce of it ; and, therefore, should you change your style, I 
still advise a volume of dramas like Lord Byron’s. 

Author. No, his lordship is a cut above me: I won’t run 
my horse against his, if I can help myself. But there is my 
friend Allan has written just such a play as I might write 
myself, on a very sunny day, and with one of Bramah’s extra 
patent-pens. I cannot make neat work without such appur- 
tenances. 

Captain. Do you mean Allan Ramsay? 

Author. No, nor Barbara Allan either. I mean Allan Cun- 
ningham, who has just published his tragedy of Sir Marma- 
duke Maxwell, full of merry-making and murdering, kissing 
and cutting of throats, and passages which lead to nothing, 
and which are very pretty passages for all that. Not a glimpse 
of probability is there about the plot, but so much animation 
in particular passages, and such a vein of poetry through the 
whole, as I dearly wish I could infuse into my Culinary Re- 
mains, should I ever be tempted to publish them. With a 
popular impress, people would read and admire the beauties 
of Allan ; as it is, they may perhaps only note his defects — 
or, what is worse, not note him at all. But never mind them, 
honest Allan; you are a credit to Caledonia for all that. 
There are some lyrical effusions of his, too, which you would 
do well to read, captain. “ It’s hame, and it’s hame,” is equal 
to Burns. . 

Captain. I will take the hint. The club at Kennaquhair 
are turned fastidious since Catalani visited the Abbey. My 
Poortith Cauld has been received both poorly and coldly, and 
The Banks of Bonnie Boon have been positively coughed down. 
Tempora mutantur. 

Author. They cannot stand still, they will change with all of 
us. What then? 

A man’s a man for a’ that. 

But the hour of parting approaches. 

were brought on the stage with great success. Sir Walter himself might 
have been seen as a spectator, enjoying the performance as much as any 
one (Laing). 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 27 


Captain, You are determined to proceed then in your own 
system? Are you aware that an unworthy motive may be 
assigned for this rapid succession of publication? You will 
be supposed to work merely for the lucre of gain. 

Author, Supposing that I did permit the great advantages 
which must be derived from success in literature to join with 
other motives in inducing me to come more frequently before 
the public, that emolument is the voluntary tax which the 
public pays for a certain species of literary amusement ; it is 
extorted from no one, and paid, I presume, by those only who 
can afford it, and who receive gratification in proportion to 
the expense. If the capital sum which these volumes have 
put into circulation be a very large one, has it contributed to 
my indulgences only? or can I not say to hundreds, from hon- 
est Duncan the paper-manufacturer to the most snivelling of 
the printer’s devils, “ Didst thou not share? Hadst thou not 
fifteen pence?” I profess I think our Modern Athens much 
obliged to me for having established such an extensive manu- 
facture ; and when universal suffrage comes in fashion, I in- 
tend to stand for a seat in the House on the interest of all the 
unwashed artificers connected with literature. 

Captain, This would be called the language of a calico- 
manufacturer. 

Author, Cant again, my dear son: there is lime in this 
sack, too ; nothing but sophistication in this world ! I do say 
it in spite of Adam Smith and his followers, that a successful 
author is a productive labourer, and that his works constitute 
as effectual a part of the public wealth as that which is cre- 
ated by any other manufacture. If a new commodity, having 
an actually intrinsic and commercial value, be the result of 
the operation, why are the author’s bales of books to be es- 
teemed a less profitable part of the public stock than the goods 
of any other manufacturer? I speak with reference to the 
diffusion of the wealth arising to the public, and the degi’ee 
of industry which even such a trifiing work as the present 
must stimulate and reward, before the volumes leave the pub- 
lisher’s shop. Without me it could not exist, and to this 
extent I am a benefactor to the country. As for my owu 


28 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


emolument, it is won by my toil, and I account myself an- 
swerable to Heaven only for the mode in which I expend it. 
The candid may hope it is not all dedicated to selfish pur- 
poses j and, without much pretensions to merit in him who dis- 
burses it, a part may “ wander, heaven-directed, to the poor. 

Captain, Yet it is generally held base to write from the 
mere motives of gain. 

Author. It would be base to do so exclusively, or even to 
make it a principal motive for literary exertion. Nay, I will 
venture to say that no work of imagination, proceeding from 
the mere consideration of a certain sum of copy-money, ever 
did, or ever will, succeed. So the lawyer who pleads, the 
soldier who fights, the physician who prescribes, the clergy- 
man — if such there be — who preaches, without any zeal for 
his profession, or without any sense of its dignity, and merely 
on account of the fee, pay, or stipend, degrade themselves to 
the rank of sordid mechanics. Accordingly, in the case of 
two of the learned faculties at least, their services are con- 
sidered as unappreciable, and are acknowledged, not by any 
exact estimate of the services rendered, but by a honorarium, 
or voluntary acknowledgment. But let a client or patient 
make the experiment of omitting this little ceremony of the 
honorarium, which is cense to be a thing entirely out of con- 
sideration between them, and mark how the learned gentle- 
man will look upon his case. Cant set apart, it is the same 
thing with literary emolument. No man of sense, in any rank 
of life, is, or ought to be, above accepting a just recompense 
for his time, and a reasonable share of the capital which owes 
its very existence to his exertions. When Czar Peter wrought 
in the trenches, he took the pay of a common soldier ; and 
nobles, statesmen, and divines, the most distinguished of their 
time, have not scorned to square accounts with their book- 
seller. 

Captain. (Sings.) 

0 if it were a mean thing, 

The gentles would not use it ; 

And if it were ungodly, 

The clergy would refuse it. 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 29 


Author. You say well. But no man of honour, genius, or 
spirit would make the mere love of gain the chief, far less the 
only, purpose of his labours. For myself, I am not displeased 
to find the game a winning one ; yet while I pleased the pub- 
lic, I should probably continue it merely for the pleasure of 
playing ; for I have felt as strongly as most folks that love 
of composition, which is perhaps the strongest of all instincts, 
driving the author to the pen, the painter to the pallet, often 
without either the chance of fame or the prospect of reward. 
Perhaps I have said too much of this. I might, perhaps, with 
as much truth as most people, exculpate myself from the charge 
of being either of a greedy or mercenary disposition ; but I 
am not, therefore, hypocrite enough to disclaim the ordinary 
motives, on account of which the whole world around me is 
toiling imremittingly, to the sacrifice of ease, comfort, health, 
and life. I do not affect the disinterestedness of that ingen- 
ious association of gentlemen mentioned by Goldsmith, who 
sold their magazines for sixpence apiece, merely for their own 
amusement. 

Captain. I have but one thing more to hint. The world 
say you will run yourself out. 

Author. The world say true; and what then? When they 
dance no longer, I will no longer pipe ; and I shall not want 
flappers enough to remind me of the apoplexy. 

Captain. And what will become of us then, your poor 
family? We shall fall into contempt and oblivion. 

Author. Like many a poor fellow, already overwhelmed 
with the number of his family, I cannot help going on to 
increase it. “ ’Tis my vocation, Hal.” Such of you as de- 
serve oblivion — perhaps the whole of you — may be consigned 
to it. At any rate, you have been read in your day, which 
is more than can be said of some of your contemporaries of 
less fortune and more merit. They cannot say but that you 
had the crown. It is always something to have engaged the 
public attention for seven years. Had I only written Waver- 
ley, I should have long since been, according to the estab- 
lished phrase, ‘^the ingenious author of a novel much admired 
at the time.” I believe, on my soul, that the reputation of 


30 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Waverley is sustained very much by the praises of those who 
may be inclined to prefer that tale to its successors. 

Captain. You are willing, then, to barter future reputation 
for present popularity? 

Author. Meliora spero. Horace himself expected not to 
survive in all his works ; I may hope to live in some of mine. 
Non omnis moriar. It is some consolation to reflect that the 
best authors in all countries have been the most voluminous ; 
and it has often happened that those who have been best re- 
ceived in their own time have also continued to be acceptable 
to posterity. I do not think so ill of the present generation 
as to suppose that its present favour necessarily infers future 
condemnation. 

Captain. Were all to act on such principles, the public 
would be inundated. 

Author. Once more, my dear son, beware of cant. You 
speak as if the public were obliged to read books merely be- 
cause they are printed; your friends the booksellers would 
thank you to make the proposition good. The most serious 
grievance attending such inundations as you talk of is that 
they make rags dear. The multiplicity of publications does 
the present age no harm, and may greatly advantage that 
which is to succeed us. 

Captain. I do not see how that is to happen. 

Author. The complaints in the time of Elizabeth and James 
of the alarming fertility of the press were as loud as they are 
at present ; yet look at the shore over which the inundation 
of that age flowed, and it resembles now the Rich Strand of 
the Faery Queene — 

Bestrew’ d all with rich array, 

Of pearl and precious stones of great assay ; 

And all the gravel mix’d with golden ore. 

Believe me, that even in the most neglected works of the 
present age the next may discover treasures. 

Captain. Some books will defy all alchemy. 

Author. They will be but few in number; since, as for 
writers who are possessed of no merit at all, unless indeed 
they publish their works at their own expense, like Sir Rich- 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 31 


ard Blackmore, their power of annoying the public will be 
soon limited by the difficulty of finding undertaking book- 
sellers. 

Captain. You are incorrigible. Are there no bounds to 
your audacity? 

Author. There are the sacred and eternal boundaries of 
honour and virtue. My course is like the enchanted cham- 
ber of Britomart — 

Where as she look’d about she did behold 
How over that same door was likewise writ, 

Be Bold — Be Bold, and everywhere Be Bold. 

Whereat she mused, and could not construe it ; 

At last she spied at that room’s upper end 
Another iron door, on which was writ : 

Be not too Bold. 

Captain. Well, you must take the risk of proceeding on 
your own principles. 

Author. Do you act on yours, and take care you do not stay 
idling here till the dinner-hour is over. I will add this work 
to your patrimony, valeat quantum. 

Here our dialogue terminated ; for a little sooty-faced Apol- 
lyon from the Canongate came to demand the proof-sheet on 
the part of Mr. M^Corkindale; ^ and I heard Mr. C. rebuking 
Mr. F. in another compartment of the same labyrinth I have 
described for suffering any one to penetrate so far into the 
penetralia of their temple. 

I leave it to you to form your own opinion concerning the 
import of this dialogue, and I cannot but believe I shall meet 
the wishes of our common parent in prefixing this letter to 
the work which it concerns. 

I am, reverend and dear Sir, 

Very sincerely and affectionately 
Yours, etc. etc. 

CUTHBERT ClUTTERBUCK. 

Kennaquhair, M April 1822 . 


^ This painstaking man was for many years foreman in Ballantyne’s 
printing-office (Laing). 





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THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL 


CHAPTEE I. 

Now Scot and English are agreed, 

And Saunders hastes to cross the Tweed, 

Where, such the splendours that attend him, 

His very mother scarce had kenn’d him. 

His metamorphosis behold. 

From Glasgow frieze to cloth of gold ; 

His back-sword, with the iron hilt, 

To rapier fairly hatch’d and gilt ; 

Was ever seen a gallant braver? 

His very bonnet’s grown a beaver. 

The Reformation. 

The long-continued hostilities which had for centuries sepa- 
rated the south and the north divisions of the Island of Brit- 
ain had been happily terminated by the succession of the pa- 
cific James I. to the English crown. But, although the united 
crown of England and Scotland was worn by the same indi- 
vidual, it required a long lapse of time, and the succession of 
more than one generation, ere the inveterate national preju- 
dices which had so long existed betwixt the sister kingdoms 
were removed, and the subjects of either side of the Tweed 
brought to regard those upon the opposite bank as friends and 
as brethren. 

These prejudices were, of course, most inveterate during 
the reign of King James. The English subjects accused him 
of partiality to those of his ancient kingdom; while the Scots, 
with equal injustice, charged him with having forgotten the 
land of his nativity, and with neglecting those early friends 
to whose allegiance he had been so much indebted. 

The temper of the King, peaceable even to timidity, in- 
clined him perpetually to interfere as mediator between the 
3 33 


34 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


contending factions, whose brawls disturbed the court. But, 
notwithstanding all his precautions, historians have recorded 
many instances where the mutual hatred of two nations, who, 
after being enemies for a thousand years, had been so very 
recently united, broke forth with a fury which menaced a gen- 
eral convulsion ; ana, " preading from the highest to the lowest 
classes, as it occasioned debates in council and parliament, 
factions in the court, and duels among the gentry, was no less 
productive of riots and brawls amongst the lower orders. 

While these heart-burnings were at the highest, there flour- 
ished in the city of London an ingenious, but whimsical and 
self-opinioned, mechanic, much devoted to abstract studies, 
David Ramsay * by name, who, whether recommended by his 
great skill in his profession, as the courtiers alleged, or, as 
was murmured among his neighbours, by his birthplace in the 
good town of Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, held in James’s 
household the post of maker of watches and horologes to his 
Majesty. He scorned not, however, to keep open shop with- 
in Temple Bar, a few yards to the eastward of St. Dunstan’s 
Church. 

The shop of a London tradesman at that time, as it may 
be supposed, was something very different from those we 
now see in the same locality. The goods were exposed to 
sale in cases, only defended from the weather by a covering 
of canvas, and the whole resembled the stalls and booths now 
erected for the temporary accommodation of dealers at a coun- 
try fair, rather than the established emporium of a respectable 
citizen. But most of the shopkeepers of note, and David 
Ramsay amongst others, had their booth connected with a 
small apartment which opened backward from it, and bore the 
same resemblance to the front shop that Robinson Crusoe’s 
cavern did to the tent which he erected before it. To this 
Master Ramsay was often accustomed to retreat to the labour 
of his abstruse calculations ; for he aimed at improvement and 
discoveries in his own art, and sometimes pushed his re- 
searches, like Napier and other mathematicians of the period, 
into abstract science. When thus engaged, he left the outer 
* See Note 4. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


35 


posts of his commercial establishment to be maintained by 
two stout-bodied and strong-voiced apprentices, who kept up 
the cry of, “ What d’ye lack? — what d’ye lack?” accompanied 
with the appropriate recommendations of the articles in which 
they dealt. This direct and personal application for custom 
to those who chanced to pass by is now, we believe, limited 
to Monmouth Street (if it still exists even in that repository 
of ancient garments), under the guardianship of the scattered 
remnant of Israel. But at the time we are speaking of it 
was practised alike by Jew and Gentile, and served, instead 
of all our present newspaper puffs and advertisements, to so- 
licit the attention of the public in general, and of friends in 
particular, to the unrivalled excellence of the goods which they 
offered to sale, upon such easy terms that it might fairly ap- 
pear that the venders had rather a view to the general service 
of the public than to their own particular advantage. 

The verbal proclaimers of the excellence of their commodi- 
ties had this advantage over those who, in the present day, 
use the public papers for the same purpose, that they could 
in many cases adapt their address to the peculiar appearance 
and apparent taste of the passengers. (This, as we have said, 
was also the case in Monmouth Street in our remembrance. 
We have ourselves been reminded of the deficiencies of our 
femoral habiliments, and exhorted upon that score to fit our- 
selves more beseeminglyj but this is a digression.) This 
direct and personal mode of invitation to customers became, 
however, a dangerous temptation to the young'wags who were 
employed in the task of solicitation during the absence of the 
principal person interested in the traffic; and, confiding in 
their numbers and civic union, the ’prentices of London were 
often seduced into taking liberties with the passengers, and 
exercising their wit at the expense of those whom they had 
no hopes of converting into customers by their eloquence. If 
this were resented by any act of violence, the inmates of each 
shop were ready to pour forth in succour ; and in the words 
of an old song which Dr. Johnson was used to hum : 

Up then rose the ’prentices all, 

Living in London, both proper and tall. 


36 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Desperate riots often arose on sueh occasions, especially 
when the Templars, or other youths connected with the aris- 
tocracy, were insulted, or conceived themselves to be so. 
Upon such occasions, bare steel was frequently opposed to the 
clubs of the citizens, and death sometimes ensued on both 
sides. The tardy and inefficient police of the time had no 
other resource than by the alderman of the ward calling out 
the householders, and putting a stop to the strife by over- 
powering numbers, as the Capulets and Montagues are sepa- 
rated upon the stage. 

At the period when such was the universal custom of the 
most respectable, as well as the most inconsiderable, shop- 
keepers in London, David Eamsay, on the evening to which 
we solicit the attention of the reader, retiring to more abstruse 
and private labours, left the administration of his outer shop, 
or booth, to the aforesaid sharp-witted, active, able-bodied, 
and well- voiced apprentices, namely, Jenkin Vincent and Frank 
Tunstall. 

Vincent had been educated at the excellent foundation of 
Christas Church Hospital, and was bred, therefore, as well as 
born, a Londoner, with all the acuteness, address, and audac- 
ity which belong peculiarly to the youth of a metropolis. He 
was now about twenty years old, short in stature, but remark- 
ably strong made, eminent for his feats upon holy days at foot- 
ball and other gymnastic exercises j scarce rivalled in the 
broadsword play, though hitherto only exercised in the form 
of single-stick. He knew every lane, blind alley, and seques- 
tered court of the ward better than his catechism j was alike 
active in his master’s affairs and in his own adventures of fun 
and mischief; and so managed matters that the credit he ac- 
quired by the former bore him out, or at least ..served for his 
apology, when the latter propensity led him into scrapes, of 
which, however, it is but fair to state that they had hitherto 
inferred nothing mean or discreditable. Some aberrations 
there were, which David Ramsay, his master, endeavoured to 
reduce to regular order when he discovered them, and others 
which he winked at, supposing them to answer the purpose of 
the escapement of a watch, which disposes of a certain quan- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


37 


tity of the extra power of that mechanical impulse which puts 
the whole in motion. 

The physiognomy of Jin Vin — by which abbreviation he was 
familiarly known through the ward — corresponded with the 
sketch we have given of his character. His head, upon which 
his ’prentice’s flat cap was generally flung in a careless and 
oblique fashion, was closely covered with thick hair of raven 
black, which curled naturally and closely, and would have 
grown to great length but for the modest custom enjoined by 
his state of life, and strictly enforced by his master, which 
compelled him to keep it short-cropped — not unreluctantly, as 
he looked with envy on the flowing ringlets in which the cour- 
tiers and aristocratic students of the neighbouring Temple be- 
gan to indulge themselves, as marks of superiority and of gen- 
tility. Vincent’s eyes were deep set in his head, of a strong 
vivid black, full of Are, roguery, and intelligence, and convey- 
ing a humorous expression, even while he was utterilig the 
usual small-talk of his trade, as if he ridiculed those who were 
disposed to give any weight to his commonplaces. He had 
address enough, however, to add little touches of his own, 
which gave a turn of drollery even to this ordinary routine of 
the booth ; and the alacrity of his manner, his ready and ob- 
vious wish to oblige, his intelligence and civility, when he 
thought civility necessary, made him a universal favourite 
with his master’s customers. His features were far from 
regular, for his nose was flattish, his mouth tending to the 
larger size, and his complexion inclining to be more dark than 
was then thought consistent with masculine beauty. But, in 
despite of his having always breathed the air of a crowded 
city, his complexion had the ruddy and manly expression of 
redundant health ; his turned-up nose gave an air of spirit and 
raillery to what he said, and seconded the laugh of his eyes ; 
and his wide mouth was garnished with a pair of well-formed 
and well-coloured lips, which, when he laughed, disclosed a 
range of teeth strong and well set, and as white as the very 
pearl. Such was the elder apprentice of David Ramsay, mem- 
ory’s monitor, watchmaker, and constructor of horologes to 
his most sacred Majesty James I. 


38 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Jenkin’s companion was the younger apprentice, though, 
perhaps, he might be the elder of the two in years. At any rate, 
he was of a much more staid and composed temper. Francis 
Tunstall was of that ancient and proud descent who claimed 
the style of the “ unstained’’ ; because, amid the various chances 
of the long and bloody wars of the Roses, they had, with un- 
deviating faith, followed the house of Lancaster, to which 
they had originally attached themselves. The meanest sprig 
of such a tree attached importance to the root from which it 
derived itself ; and Tunstall was supposed to nourish in secret 
a proportion of that family pride which had extorted tears 
from his widowed and almost indigent mother when she saw 
herself oblige,d to consign him to a line of life inferior, as her 
prejudices suggested, to the course held by his progenitors. 
Yet, with all this aristocratic prejudice, his master found the 
well-born youth more docile, regular, and strictly attentive to 
his duty than his far more active and alert comrade. Tunstall 
also gratified his master by the particular attention which he 
seemed disposed to bestow on the abstract principles of science 
connected with the trade which he was bound to study, the 
limits of which were daily enlarged with the increase of mathe- 
matical science. 

Vincent beat his companion beyond the distance-post in 
everything like the practical adaptation of thorough practice in 
the dexterity of hand necessary to execute the mechanical 
branches of the art, and double-distanced him in all respect- 
ing the commercial affairs of the shop. Still David Ramsay 
was wont to say that, if Vincent knew how to do a thing the 
better of the two, Tunstall was much better acquainted with 
the principles on which it ought to be done ; and he sometimes 
objected to the latter, that he knew critical excellence too well 
ever to be satisfied with practical mediocrity. 

The disposition of Tunstall was shy, as well as studious ; 
and, though perfectly civil and obliging, he never seemed to 
feel himself in his place while he went through the duties of 
the shop. He was tall and handsome, with fair hair, and 
well-formed liinbs, good features, well-opened light blue eyes, 
a straight Grecian nose, and a countenance which expressed 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


39 


both good-humour and intelligence, but qualified by a gravity 
unsuitable to his years, and which almost amounted to dejec- 
tion. He lived on the best terms with his companion, and 
readily stood by him whenever he was engaged in any of the 
frequent skirmishes which, as we have already observed, often 
disturbed the city of London about this period. But, though 
Tun stall was allowed to understand quarter-staff (the weapon 
of the North country) in a superior degree, and though he was 
naturally both strong and active, his interference in such af- 
frays seemed always matter of necessity j and, as he never 
voluntarily joined either their brawls or their sports, he held 
a far lower place in the opinion of the youth of the ward than 
his hearty and active friend Jin Vin. Nay, had it not been 
for the interest made for his comrade by the intercession of 
Vincent, Tunstall would have stood some chance of being al- 
together excluded from the society of his contemporaries of 
the same condition, who called him, in scorn, the Cavaliero 
Cuddy and the Gentle Tunstall. On the other hand, the lad 
himseK, deprived of the fresh air in which he had been brought 
up, and foregoing the exercise to which he had been formerly 
accustomed, while the inhabitant of his native mansion, lost 
gradually the freshness of his complexion, and, without show- 
ing any formal symptoms of disease, grew more thin and pale 
as he grew older, and at length exhibited the appearance of 
indifferent health, without anything of the habits and com- 
plaints of an invalid, excepting a disposition to avoid society, 
and to spend his leisure time in private study, rather than 
mingle in the sports of his companions, or even resort to the 
theatres, then the general rendezvous of his class ; where, ac- 
cording to high authority, they fought for half-bitten apples, 
cracked nuts, and filled the upper gallery with their clamours. 

Such were the two youths who called David Ramsay mas- 
ter; and with both of whom he used to fret from morning till 
night, as their peculiarities interfered with his own, or with 
the quiet and beneficial course of his traffic. 

Upon the whole, however, the youths were attached to their 
master, and he, a good-natured, though an absent and whim- 
sical, man, was scarce less so to them; and, when a little 


40 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


warmed with wine at an occasional junketing, he used to 
boast, in his northern dialect, of his “ twa bonny lads, and 
the looks that the court ladies threw at them, when visiting 
his shop in their caroches, when on a frolic into the city.” 
But David Ramsay never failed, at the same time, to draw up 
his own tall, thin, lathy skeleton, extend his lean jaws into an 
alarming grin, and indicate, by a nod of his yard-long visage 
and a twinkle of his little grey eye, that there might be more 
faces in Fleet Street worth looking at than those of Frank and 
Jenkin. 

His old neighbour. Widow Simmons, the sempstress, who 
had served, in her day, the very tip-top revellers of the Tem- 
ple with ruffs, cuffs, and bands, distinguished more deeply the 
sort of attention paid by the females of quality who so regu- 
larly visited David Ramsay’s shop to its inmates. “ The boy 
Frank, ” she admitted, ‘‘ used to attract the attention of the 
young ladies, as having something gentle and downcast in his 
looks ; but then he could not better himself, for the poor youth 
had not a word to throw at a dog. Now Jin Vin was so full 
of his jibes and his jeers, and so willing, and so ready, and so 
serviceable, and so mannerly all the while, with a step that 
sprung like a buck’s in Epping Forest, and his eye that 
twinkled as black as a gipsy’s, that no woman who knew the 
world would make a comparison betwixt the lads. As for 
poor neighbour Ramsay himself, the man, ” she said, “ was a 
civil neighbour, and a learned man, doubtless, and might be 
a rich man if he had common sense to back his learning ; and 
doubtless, for a Scot, neighbour Ramsay was nothing of a bad 
man, but he was so constantly grimed with smoke, gilded with 
brass filings, and smeared with lamp-black and oil, that Dame 
Simmons judged it would require his whole shopful of watches 
to induce any feasible woman to touch the said neighbour Ram- 
say with anything save a pair of tongs.” 

A still higher authority. Dame Ursula, wife to Benjamin 
Suddlechop, the barber, was of exactly the same opinion. 

Such were, in natural qualities and public estimation, the 
two youths who, in a fine April day, having first rendered 
their dutiful service and attendance on the table of their mas- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


41 


ter and his daughter, at their dinner at one o’clock — Such, 0 
ye lads of London, was the severe discipline undergone by 
your predecessors ! — and having regaled themselves upon the 
fragments, in company with two female domestics, one a cook 
and maid of all work, the other called Mistress Margaret’s 
maid, now relieved their master in the duty of the outward 
shop ; and, agreeably to the established custom, were solicit- 
ing, by their entreaties and recommendations of their mas- 
ter’s manufacture, the attention and encouragement of the 
passengers. 

In this species of service it may be easily supposed that 
Jenkin Vincent left his more reserved and bashful comrade 
far in the background. The latter could only articulate with 
dijSiculty, and as an act of duty which he was rather ashamed 
of discharging, the established words of form: “What d’ye 
lack? What d’ye lack! Clocks — watches — barnacles? 
What d’ye lack? Watches — clocks — barnacles? What 
d’ye lack, sir? What d’ye lack, madam? Barnacles— r 
watches — clocks?” 

But this dull and dry iteration, however varied by diversity 
of verbal arrangement, sounded flat when mingled with the 
rich and recommendatory oratory of the bold-faced, deep- 
mouthed, and ready-witted Jenkin Vincent. “What d’ye 
lack, noble sir? What d’ye lack, beauteous madam?” he 
said, in a tone at once bold and soothing, which often was so 
applied as both to gratify the persons addressed and to excite 
a smile from other hearers. “God bless your reverence,” to 
a beneflced clergyman ; “ the Greek and Hebrew have harmed 
your reverence’s eyes. Buy a pair of David Ramsay’s barna- 
cles. The King — God bless his sacred Majesty! — never reads 
Hebrew or Greek without them.” 

“ Are you well avised of that?” said a fat parson from the 
Vale of Evesham. i‘Nay, if the head of the church wears 
them— God bless his sacred Majesty!— I will try what they 
can do for me ; for I have not been able to distinguish one 
Hebrew letter from another since — I cannot remember the 
time— when I had a bad fever. Choose me a pair of his most 
sacred Majesty’s own wearing, my good youth.” 


42 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“This is a pair, and please your reverence,’’ said Jenkin, 
producing a pair of spectacles which he touched with an air of 
great deference and respect, “ which his most blessed Majesty 
placed this day three weeks on his own blessed nose ; and would 
have kept them for his own sacred use, but that the setting 
being, as your reverence sees, of the purest jet, was, as his 
sacred Majesty was pleased to say, fitter for a bishop than for 
a secular prince. ” 

“His sacred Majesty the King,” said the worthy divine, 
“ was ever a very Daniel in his judgment. Give me the barna- 
cles, my good youth, and who can say what nose they may be- 
stride in two years hence? Our reverend brother of Gloucester 
waxes in years.” He then pulled out his purse, paid for the 
spectacles, and left the shop with even a more important step 
than that which had paused to enter it. 

“For shame,” said Tunstall to his companion; “these 
glasses wiU never suit one of his years.” 

“You are a fool, Frank,” said Vincent, in reply; “had the 
good doctor wished glasses to read with he would have tried 
them before buying. He does not want to look through them 
himself, and these will serve the purpose of being looked at 
by other folks as well as the best magnifiers in the shop. 
What d’ye lack?” he cried, resuming his solicitations. 
“ Mirrors for your toilette, my pretty madam ; your head-gear 
is something awry — pity, since it is so well fancied.” The 
woman stopped and bought a mirror. “ What d’ye lack? — a 
watch. Master Sergeant — a watch that will go as long as a 
lawsuit, as steady and true as your own eloquence?” 

“Hold your peace, sir,” answered the Knight of the Coif, 
who was disturbed by Vin’s address whilst in deep consultation 
with an eminent attorney — “ hold your peace ! You are the 
loudest-tongued varlet betwixt the Devil’s Tavern and Guild- 
hall.” 

“A watch, ” reiterated the undaunted Jenkin, “that shall 
not lose thirteen minutes in a thirteen years’ lawsuit. He’s 
out of hearing. A watch with four wheels and a bar-move- 
ment.' A watch that shall tell you. Master Poet, how long 
the patience of the audience will endure your next piece at 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


43 


the Black Bull.’’ The bard laughed, and fumbled in the 
pocket of his slops till he chased into a corner, and fairly 
caught, a small piece of coin. 

“ Here is a tester to cherish thy wit, good boy, ” he said. 

“Gramercy,” said Vin; “ at the next play of yours I will 
bring down a set of roaring boys that shall make all the critics 
in the pit and the gallants on the stage civil, or else the curtain 
shall smoke for it.” 

“Now, that I call mean,” said Tunstall, “to take the poor 
rhymer’s money, who has so little left behind.” 

“You are an owl once again,” said Vincent; “if he has 
nothing left to buy cheese and radishes, he will only dine a 
day the sooner with some patron or some player, for that is 
his fate five days out of the seven. It is unnatural that a poet 
should pay for his own pot of beer ; I will drink his tester for 
him, to save him from such shame ; and when his third night 
comes round he shall have pennyworths for his coin, I promise 
you. But here comes another-guess customer. Look at that 
strange fellow ; see how he gapes at every shop, as if he would 
swallow the wares. Oh! St. Dunstan has caught his eye; 
pray God he swallow not the images. See how he stands as- 
tonished, as old Adam and Eve ply their ding-dong! Come, 
Frank, thou art a scholar : construe me that same fellow, with 
his blue cap with a cock’s feather in it, to show he’s of gentle 
blood, God wot, his grey eyes, his yellow hair, his sword with 
a ton of iron in the handle, his grey, threadbare cloak, his 
step like a Frenchman, his look like a Spaniard, a book at his 
girdle, and a broad dudgeon- dagger on the other side to show 
him half-pedant, half-bully. How call you that pageant, 
Frank?” 

“A raw Scotsman,” said Tunstall; “just come up, I sup- 
pose, to help the rest of his countrymen to gnaw Old Eng- 
land’s bones : a palmer- worm, I reckon, to devour what the 
locust has spared.” 

“Even so, Frank,” answered Vincent; “just as the poet 
sings sweetly : 

In Scotland he was born and bred, 

And, though a beggar, must be fed.” 


44 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Hush!^^ said Tunstall, remember our master. ” 

“ Pshaw answered his mercurial companion j “he knows 
on which side his bread is buttered, and I warrant you has 
not lived so long among Englishmen, and by Englishmen, to 
quarrel with us for bearing an English mind. But see, our 
Scot has done gazing at St. Dunstan’s, and comes our way. 
By this light, a proper lad and a sturdy, in spite of freckles 
and sunburning. He comes nearer still ; I will have at him. ’’ 
“ And if you do,’^ said his comrade, “you may get a broken 
head: he looks not as if he would carry coals.” 

“ A fig for your threat, ” said Vincent, and instantly addressed 
the stranger : “ Buy a watch, most noble northern thane — buy 
a watch, to count the hours of plenty since the blessed moment 
you left Berwick behind you. Buy barnacles, to see the Eng- 
lish gold lies ready for your gripe. Buy what you will, you 
shall have credit for three days; for, were your pockets as 
bare as Father Fergus’s, you are a Scot in London, and you 
will be stocked in that time. ” The stranger looked sternly at 
the waggish apprentice, and seemed to grasp his cudgel in 
rather a menacing fashion. “Buy physic,” said the un- 
daunted Vincent, “ if you will buy neither time nor light — 
physic for a proud stomach, sir — there is a Apothecary’s shop 
on the other side of the way.” 

Here the probationary disciple of Galen, who stood at his 
master’s door in his fiat cap and canvas sleeves, with a large 
wooden pestle in his hand, took up the ball which was fiung 
to him by Jenkin, with : “ What d’ye lack, sir? Buy a choice 
Caledonian salve, Flos sulphvr. cum butyro quant, suff.^^ 

“ To be taken after a gentle rubbing-down with an English 
oaken towel,” said Vincent. 

The bonny Scot had given full scope to the play of this 
small artillery of city wit, by halting his stately pace and 
viewing grimly first the one assailant and then the other, as 
if menacing either repartee or more violent revenge. But 
phlegm or prudence got the better of his indignation, and 
tossing his head as one who valued not the raillery to which 
he had been exposed, he walked down Fleet Street, pursued 
by the horse-laugh of his tormentors. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


46 


“The Scot will not fight till he see his own blood,” said 
Tunstall, whom his north of England extraction had made 
familiar with all manner of proverbs against those who lay 
yet farther north than himself. 

“Faith, I know not,” said Jenkin; “he looks dangerous, 
that fellow : he will hit some one over the noddle before he 
goes far. Hark! — hark! they are rising.” 

Accordingly, the well-known cry of “ ’Prentices — ’pren- 
tices! Clubs — clubs!” now rang along Fleet Street ; and Jen- 
kin, snatching up his weapon, which lay beneath the counter 
ready at the slightest notice, and calling to Tunstall to take 
his bat and follow, leaped over the hatch-door which pro- 
tected the outer shop, and ran as fast as he could towards 
the affray, echoing the cry as he ran, and elbowing, or shov- 
ing aside, whoever stood in his way. His comrade, first call- 
ing to his master to give an eye to the shop, followed Jenkin’s 
example, and ran after him as fast as he could, but with more 
attention to the safety and convenience of others ; while old 
David Ramsay, with hands and eyes uplifted, a green apron be- 
fore him, and a glass which he had been polishing thrust into 
his bosom, came forth to look after the safety of his goods 
and chattels, knowing, by old experience, that, when the cry 
of “ Clubs” once arose, he would have little aid on the part of 
his apprentices. 


CHAPTER II. 

This, sir, is one among the seignory. 

Has wealth at will, and will to use his wealth. 

And wit to increase it. Marry, his worst folly 
Lies in a thriftless sort of charity, 

That goes a-gadding sometimes after objects 
Which wise men will not see when thrust upon them. 

The Old Couple. 

The ancient gentleman bustled about his shop, in pettish 
displeasure at being summoned hither so hastily, to the inter- 
ruption of his more abstract studies ; and, unwilling to renounce 
the train of calculation which he had put in progress, he min- 


46 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


gled whimsically with the fragments of the arithmetical ope- 
ration his oratory to the passengers and angry reflections on 
his idle apprentices. “ What d’ye lack, sir? Madam, what 
d’ye lack — clocks for hall or table — night-watches — day- 
watches? Locking wheel being 48 — the power of retort 8 — the 
striking pins are 48 — What d’ye lack, honoured sir? — The 
quotient — the multiplicand — That the knaves should have 
gone out at this blessed minute! — the acceleration being at 
the rate of 5 minutes, 55 seconds, 53 thirds, 59 fourths — I 
will switch them both when they come back — I will, by the 
bones of the immortal Napier!” 

Here the vexed philosopher was interrupted by the entrance 
of a grave citizen of a most respectable appearance, who, 
saluting him familiarly by the name of ‘‘ Davie, my old ac- 
quaintance, ’’ demanded what had put him so much out of 
sorts, and gave him at the same time a cordial grasp of his hand. 

The stranger’s dress was, though grave, rather richer than 
usual. His paned hose were of black velvet, lined with pur- 
ple silk, which garniture appeared at the slashes. His doub- 
let was of purple cloth, and his short cloak of black velvet, 
to correspond with his hose; and both were adorned with a 
great number of small silver buttons richly wrought in fili- 
gree. A triple chain of gold hung round his neck; and, in 
place of a sword or dagger, he wore at his belt an ordinary 
knife for the purpose of the table, with a small silver case, 
which appeared to contain writing-materials. He might have 
seemed some secretary or clerk engaged in the service of the 
public, only that his low, flat, and unadorned cap, and his 
well-blacked, shining shoes, indicated that he belonged to the 
city. He was a well-made man, about the middle size, and 
seemed firm in health, though advanced in years. His looks 
expressed sagacity and good-humour ; and the air of respec- 
tability which his dress announced was well supported by his 
clear eye, ruddy cheeky and grey hair. He used the Scottish 
iJ’/.om in his first address, but in such a manner that it could 
hardly be distinguished whether he was passing upon his 
friend a sort of jocose mockery or whether it was his own na- 
tive dialect, for his ordinary discourse had little provincialism. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


47 


In answer to the queries of his respectable friend, Ramsay 
groaned heavily, answering by echoing back the question: 
“What ails me. Master George? Why, everything ails me! 
I profess to yon that a man may as well live in Fairyland as 
in the ward of Farringdon Without. My apprentices are 
turned into mere goblins: they appear and disappear like 
spunkies, and have no more regularity in them than a watch 
without a scapement. If there is a ball to be tossed up, or a 
bullock to be driven mad, or a quean to be ducked for scold- 
ing, or a head to be broken, Jenkin is sure to be at the one 
end or the other of it, and then away skips Francis Tunstall 
for company. I think the prize-fighters, bear-leaders, and 
mountebanks are in a league against me, my dear friend, and 
that they pass my house ten times for any other in the city. 
Here’s an Italian fellow come over, too, that they call Punch- 
inello; and, altogether ” 

“Well,” interrupted Master George, “but what is all this 
to the present case?” 

“ Why, ” replied Ramsay, “ here has been a cry of thieves or 
murder — I hope that will prove the least of it amongst these 
English pock-pudding swine! — and I have been interrupted 
in the deepest calculation ever mortal man plunged into. Mas- 
ter George.” 

“What, man!” replied Master George, “you must take 
patience. You are a man that deals in time, and can make 
it go fast and slow at pleasure; you, of all the world, have 
least reason to complain if a little of it be lost now and then. 
But here come your boys, and bringing in a slain man betwixt 
them, I think: here has been serious mischief, I am afraid.” 

“ The more mischief the better sport, ” said the crabbed old 
watchmaker. “ I am blythe, though, that it’s neither of the 
twa loons ' themselves. What are ye bringing a corpse here 
for, ye fause villains?” he added, addressing the two appren- 
tices, who, at the head of a considerable mob of their own 
class, some of whom bore evident marks of a recent fray, were 
carrying the body betwixt them. 

“ He is not dead yet, sir, ” answered Tunstall. 

“ Carry him into the apothecary’s, then,” replied his master. 


48 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


^‘D^ye think I can set a man’s life in motion again, as if he 
TV ere a clock or a timepiece?” 

‘^For Godsake, old friend,” said his acquaintance, “let us 
have him here at the nearest; he seems only in a swoon.” 

“A swoon!” said Ramsay, “and what business had he to 
swoon in the streets? Only, if it will oblige my friend Mas- 
ter George, I would take in all the dead men in St. Dunstan’s 
parish. Call Sam Porter to look after the shop.” 

So saying, the stunned man, being the identical Scotsman 
who had passed a short time before amidst the jeers of the ap- 
prentices, was carried into the back shop of the artist, and 
there placed in an armed chair till the apothecary from over 
the way came to his assistance. This gentleman, as some- 
times happens to those of the learned professions, had rather 
more lore than knowledge, and began to talk of the sinciput 
and occiput, and cerebrum and cerebellum, until he exhausted 
David Ramsay’s brief stock of patience. 

“Bell-um! bell-ell-um!” he repeated, with great indigna- 
tion. “ What signify all the bells in London, if you do not 
put a plaster on the chield’s crown?” 

Master George, with better-directed zeal, asked the apothe- 
cary whether bleeding might not be useful ; when, after hum- 
ming and hawing for a moment, and being unable, upon the 
spur of the occasion, to suggest anything else, the man of 
pharmacy observed, that “ it would, at all events, relieve the 
brain or cerebrum, in case there was a tendency to the deposi- 
tation of any extravasated blood, to operate as a pressure upon 
that delicate organ.” Fortunately he was adequate to perform- 
ing this operation ; and, being powerfully aided by Jenkin Vin- 
cent (who was learned in all cases of broken heads) with plenty 
of cold water and a little vinegar, applied according to the 
scientific method practised by the bottle-holders in a modern 
ring, the man began to raise himself on his chair, draw his 
cloak tightly around him, and look about like one who strug- 
gles to recover sense and recollection. 

“ He had better lie down on the bed in the little back closet, ” 
said Mr. Ramsay’s visitor, who seemed perfectly familiar with 
the accommodations which the house afforded. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


49 


“He is welcome to my share of the truckle/’ said Jenkin, 
for in the said back closet were the two apprentices accommo- 
dated in one truckle-bed; “I can sleep under the counter.” 

“ So can I, ” said Tunstall, “ and the poor fellow can have 
the bed all night.” 

“ Sleep, ” said the apothecary, “ is, in the opinion of Galen, 
a restorative and febrifuge, and is most naturally taken in a 
truckle-bed.” 

“ Where a better cannot be come by,” said Master George; 
“ but these are two honest lads, to give up their beds so will- 
ingly. Come, off with his cloak, and let us bear him to his 
couch. I will send for Dr. Irving, the king’s chirurgeon; he 
does not live far off, and that shall be my share of the Samari- 
tan’s duty, neighbour Ramsay.” 

“ Well, sir,” said the apothecary, “it is at your pleasure to 
send for other advice, and I shall not object to consult with 
Dr. Irving or any other medical person of skill, neither to 
continue to furnish such drugs as may be needful from my 
pharmacopoeia. However, whatever Dr. Irving, who, I think 
hath had his degrees in Edinburgh, or Dr. Any-one-Beside, be 
he Scottish or English, may say to the contrary, sleep, taken 
timeously, is a febrifuge, or sedative, and also a restorative.” 

He muttered a few more learned words, and concluded by 
informing Ramsay’s friend, in English far more intelligible 
than his Latin, that he would look to him as his paymaster 
for medicines, care, and attendance, furnished, or to be fur- 
nished, to this party unknown. 

Master George only replied by desiring him to send his bill 
for what he had already to charge, and to give himself no 
farther trouble unless he heard from him. The pharmacopo- 
list, who, from discoveries made by the cloak falling a little 
aside, had no great opinion of the faculty of this chance pa- 
tient to make reimbursement, had no sooner seen his case 
espoused by a substantial citizen than he showed some reluc- 
tance to quit possession of it, and it needed a short and stern, 
hint from Master George, which, with all his good-humour, 
he was capable of expressing when occasion required, to send 
to his own dwelling this Esculapius of Temple Bar. 

4 


60 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


When they were rid of Mr. Raredrench, the charitable efforts 
of Jenkin and Francis to divest the patient of his long grey 
cloak were firmly resisted on his own part. ‘‘ My life suner — 
my life suner,” he muttered in indistinct murmurs. In these 
efforts to retain his upper garment, which was too tender to 
resist much handling, it gave way at length with a loud rent, 
which almost threw the patient into a second syncope, and he 
sat before them in his under garments, the looped and repaired 
wretchedness of which moved at once pity and laughter, and 
had certainly been the cause of his unwillingness to resign the 
mantle, which, like the virtue of charity, served to cover so 
many imperfections. 

The man himself cast his eyes on his poverty-struck garb, 
and seemed so much ashamed of the disclosure that, muttering 
between his teeth that he would be too late for an appointment, 
he made an effort to rise and leave the shop, which was easily 
prevented by Jenkin Vincent and his comrade, whoj at the 
nod of Master George, laid hold of and detained him in his 
chair. The patient next looked round him for a moment, and 
then said faintly, in his broad, northern language: “What 
sort of usage ca’ ye this, gentlemen, to a stranger a sojourner 
in your town? Ye hae broken my head, ye hae riven my 
cloak, and now ye are for restraining my personal liberty! 
They were wiser than me,” he said, after a moment’s pause, 
“ that counselled me to wear my warst claithing in the streets 
of London; and, if I could have got ony things warse than 
these mean garments (‘Which would have been very diffi- 
cult,’ said Jin Yin, in a whisper to his companion), they 
would have been e’en ower gude for the gripe o’ men sae little 
acquented with the laws of honest civility.” 

“To say the truth,” said Jenkin, unable to forbear any 
longer, although the discipline of the times prescribed to those 
in his situation a degree of respectful distance and humility in 
the presence of parents, masters, or seniors of which the pres- 
ent age has no idea — “to say the truth, the good gentleman’s 
clothes look as if they would not brook much handling. ” 

“ Hold your peace, young man, ” said Master George, with a 
tone of authority : “ never mock the stranger or the poor. The 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


51 


black ox has not trod on your foot yet; you know not what 
lands you may travel in, or what clothes you may wear, before 
you die. ” 

Vincent held down his head and stood rebuked; but the 
stranger did not accept the apology which was made for 
him. 

“ I am a stranger, sir, said he, “ that is certain ; though 
methinks that, being such, I have been somewhat familiarly 
treated in this town of yours ; but, as for my being poor, I 
think I need not be charged with poverty till I seek siller of 
somebody. ” 

“ The dear country all over, ” said Master George, in a 
whisper, to David Ramsay — “ pride and poverty. ” 

But David had taken out his tablets and silver pen, and, 
deeply immersed in calculations, in which he rambled over all 
the terms of arithmetic, from the simple unit to millions, bil- 
lions, and trillions, neither heard nor answered the observa- 
tion of his friend, who, seeing his abstraction, turned again to 
the Scot. 

‘^1 fancy now. Jockey, if a stranger were to offer you a 
noble, you would chuck it back at his head?” 

“ Not if I could do him honest service for it, sir, ” said the 
Scot ; “ I am willing to do what I may to be useful, though I 
come of an honourable house, and may be said to be in a sort 
indifferently weel provided for.” 

“Ay!” said the interrogator, “ and what house may claim' 
the honour of your descent?” 

“ An ancient coat belongs to it, as the play says, ” whis- 
pered Vincent to his companion. 

“Come, Jockey, out with it,” continued Master George, ob- 
serving that the Scot, as usual with his countrymen when 
asked a blunt, straightforward question, took a little time 
before answering it. 

“I am no more Jockey, sir, than you are John,” said the 
stranger, as if offended at being addressed by a name which 
at that time was used, as Sawney now is, for a general appel- 
lative of the Scottish nation. “My name, if you must know 
it, is Richie Moniplies ; and I come of the old and honourable 


62 WAVERLEY NOVELS. 

house of Castle Collop, weel kenned at the West Port of Edin- 
burgh.’^ 

^^What is that you call the West Port?” proceeded the 
interrogator. 

Why, an it like your honour,” said Richie, who now, hav- 
ing recovered his senses sufficiently to observe the respectable 
exterior of Master George, threw more civility into his manner 
than at first, the West Port is a gate of our city, as yonder 
brick arches at Whitehall form the entrance of the King’s 
palace here, only that the West Port is of stonern work, and 
mair decorated with architecture and the policy of big- 
ging.” 

“ Nouns, man, the Whitehall gateways were planned by the 
great Holbein, ” answered Master George ; “ I suspect your ac- 
cident has jumbled your brains, my good friend. I suppose 
you will tell me next, you have at Edinburgh as fine a navi- 
gable river as the Thames, with all its shipping?” 

‘‘The Thames!” exclaimed Richie, in a tone of ineffable 
contempt. “ God bless your honour’s judgment, we have at 
Edinburgh the Water of Leith and the Nor’ Loch!” 

“And the Pow Burn, and the Quarry Holes,, and the Guse- 
dub, ye fause loon!” answered Master George, speaking Scotch 
with a strong and natural emphasis ; “ it is such landloupers as 
you that, with your f alset and fair fashions, bring reproach on 
our whole country.” 

' . “ God forgie me, sir, ” said Richie, much surprised at find- 

ing the supposed Southron converted into a native Scot, “ I 
took your honour for an Englisher ! But I hope there was 
naething wrang in standing up for ane’s ain country’s credit 
in a strange land, where all men cry her down!” 

“ Do you call it for your country’s credit to show that she 
has a lying, puffing rascal for one of her children?” said Mas- 
ter George. “ But come, man, never look grave on it ; as you 
have found a countryman, so you have found a friend, if you 
deserve one, and especially if you answer me truly.” 

“ I s 5e nae gude it wad do me to speak ought else but truth, ” 
said the worthy North Briton. 

“Well, then, to begin,” said Master George, “I suspect you 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 53 

are a son of old Mungo Moniplies, the flesher, at the West 
Port” 

“Youn honour is a witch, I think, said Richie, grinning. 

“And how dared you, sir, to uphold him for a noble?” 

“I dinna ken, sir,” said Richie, scratching his head; “I 
hear muckle of an Earl of Warwick in these southern parts — 
Guy, I think his name was — and he has great reputation here 
for slaying dun cows, and boars, and such-like; and I am sure 
my father has killed more cows and boars, not to mention 
bulls, calves, sheep, ewes, lambs, and pigs, than the haill 
baronage of England.” 

“Go to! you are a shrewd knave,” said Master George; 
“ charm your tongue, and take care of saucy answers. Your 
father was an honest burgher, and the deacon of his craft. I 
am sorry to see his son in so poor a coat.” 

“Indifferent, sir,” said Richie Moniplies, looking down on 
his garments — “ very indifferent ; but it is the wonted livery 
of poor burghers’ sons in our country — one of Luckie Want’s 
bestowing upon us — rest us patient! The King’s leaving 
Scotland has taken all custom frae Edinburgh ; and there is 
hay made at the cross, and a dainty crop of fouats in the 
Grass market. There is as much grass grows where my fa- 
ther’s stall stood as might have been a good bite for the beasts 
he was used to kill.” 

“ It is even too true, ” said Master George ; “ and while we 
make fortunes here, our old neighbours and their families are 
starving at home. This should be thought upon oftener. 
And how came you by that broken head, Richie? tell me 
honestly. ” 

“Troth, sir, I’se no lee about the matter,” answered Moni- 
plies. “ I was coming along the street here, and ilk ane was 
at me with their jests and roguery. So I thought to mysell: 
‘Ye are ower mony for me to mell with; but let me catch ye 
in Barford’s Park, or at the fit of the Vennel, I could gar 
some of ye sing another sang.” Sae ae auld hirpling deevil 
of a potter behoved just to step in my way and offer me a pig, 
as he said, just to put my Scotch ointment in, and I gave him 
a push, as but natural, and the tottering deevil coupit ower 


64 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


amang his ain pigs, and damaged a score of them. And then 
the reird raise, and hadna these twa gentlemen helped me out 
of it, murdered I suld hae been, without remeid. And as it 
was, just when they got hand of my arm to have me out of 
the fray, I got the lick that donnerit me from a left-handed 
lighterman.” 

Master George looked to the apprentices as if to demand 
the truth of this story. 

‘‘It is just as he says, sir,” replied Jenkin; “only I heard 
nothing about pigs. The people said he had broke some 
crockery, and that — I beg pardon, sir — nobody could thrive 
within the kenning of a Scot.” 

“Well, no matter what they said, you were an honest fellow 
to help the weaker side. And you, sirrah, ” continued Master 
George, addressing his countryman, “ will call at my house to- 
morrow morning, agreeable to this direction.” 

“ I will wait upon your honour, ” said the Scot, bowing very 
low; “that is, if my honourable master will permit me.” 

“ Thy master?” said George. “ Hast thou any other master 
save Want, whose livery you say you wear?” 

“ Troth, in one sense, if it please your honour, I serve twa 
masters,” said Richie; “for both my master and me are slaves 
to that same beldam, whom we thought to show our heels to 
by coming off from Scotland. So that you see, sir, I hold in 
a sort of black ward tenure, as we call it in our country, being 
the servant of a servant.” 

“And what is your master’s name?” said Master George; 
and observing that Richie hesitated, he added: “Nay, do not 
tell me, if it is a secret.” 

“ A secret that there is little use in keeping, ” said Richie ; 
“ only ye ken that our northern stomachs are ower proud to call 
in witnesses to our distress. No that my master is in mair 
than present pinch, sir,” he added, looking towards the two 
English apprentices, “ having a large sum in the royal treas- 
ury — that is,” he continued, in a whisper to Master George, 
“the King is owing him a lot of siller; but it’s ill getting at 
it, it’s like. My master is the young Lord Glenvarloch. ” 

Master George testified surprise at the name. “ Yon one of 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


55 


the young Lord Glenvaiioch’s followers, and in such a con- 
dition!’’ 

Troth, and I am all the followers he has, for the present 
that is ; and blythe wad I be if he were muckle better aff than 
I am, though I were to bide as I am.” 

“ I have seen his father with four gentlemen and ten lackeys 
at his heels, ” said Master George, “ rustling in their laces and 
velvets. Well, this is a changeful world, but there is a better 
beyond it. The good old house of Glenvarloch, that stood by 
king and country five hundred years!” 

“ Your honour may say a thousand, ” said the follower. 

I will say what I know to be true, friend, ” said the citizen, 

and not a word more. You seem well recovered now ; can 
you walk?” 

“ Bravely, sir, ” said Richie ; “ it was but a bit dover. I 
was bred at the West Port, and my cantle will stand a clour 
wad bring a stot down.” 

“ Where does your master lodge?” 

“We pit up, an it like your honour,” replied the Scot, “in 
a sma’ house at the fit of ane of the wynds that gang down to 
the water-side, with a decent man, John Christie, a ship- 
chandler, as they ca’t. His father came from -Dundee. I 
wotna the name of the wynd, but it’s right anent the mickle 
kirk yonder; and your honour will mind that we pass only 
by our family name of simple Mr. Nigel Olifaunt, as keeping 
ourselves retired for the present, though in Scotland we be 
called the Lord Nigel.” 

“It is wisely done of your master,” said the citizen. “I 
will find out your lodgings, though your direction be none of 
the clearest.” So saying, and slipping a piece of money at 
the same time into Richie Moniplies’s hand, he bade him 
hasten home, and get into no more affrays. 

“ I will take care of that now, sir, ” said Richie, with a look 
of importance, “ having a charge about me. And so, wussmg 
ye a’ weel, with special thanks to these twa young gentle- 
men ” 

“I am no gentleman,” said Jenkin, flinging his cap on his 
head : “ I am a tight London ’prentice, and hope to be a free- 


56 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


man one day. Frank may write himself gentleman, if he 
will.’^ 

“I was a gentleman once,” said Tunstall, ‘‘and I hope I 
have done nothing to lose the name of one.” 

“ Weel — weel, as ye list, ” said Richie Moniplies ; “ but I am 
mickle beholden to ye baith, and I am not a hair the less like 
to bear it in mind that I say but little about it just now. 
Gude night to you, my kind countryman.” So saying, he 
thrust out of the sleeve of his ragged doublet a long bony 
hand and arm, on which the muscles rose like whip-cord. 
Master George shook it heartily, while Jenkin and Frank ex- 
changed sly looks with each other. 

Richie Moniplies would next have addressed his thanks to 
the master of the shop, but seeing him, as he afterwards said, 
“ scribbling on his bit bookie, as if he were demented,” he con- 
tented his politeness with “ giving him a hat, ” touching, that 
is, his bonnet, in token of salutation, and so left the shop. 

“Now, there goes Scotch Jockey, with all his bad and good 
about him,” said Master George to Master David, who sus- 
pended, though unwillingly, the calculations with which he 
was engaged, and keeping his pen within, an inch of the tab- 
lets, gazed on his friend with great lack-lustre eyes, which 
expressed anything rather than intelligence or interest in the 
discourse addressed to him. “ That fellow, ” proceeded Mas- 
ter George, without heeding his friend’s state of abstraction, 
“shows, with great liveliness of colouring, how our Scotch 
pride and poverty make liars and braggarts of us j and yet the 
knave, whose every third word to an Englishman is a boastful 
lie, will, I warrant you, be a true and tender friend and fol- 
lower to his master, and has perhaps parted with his mantle 
to him in the cold blast, although he himself walked in cuerpOf 
as the Don says. Strange! that courage and fidelity — for I 
will warrant that the knave is stout — should have no better 
companion than this swaggering braggadocio humour. But 
you mark me not, friend Davie.” 

“I do — I do, most heedfully,” said Davie. “For, as the 
sun goeth round the dial-plate in twenty-four hours, add, for 
the moon, fifty minutes and a half ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


67 


“ You are in the seventh heavens, man, ” said his companion. 

*'^1 crave your pardon,” replied Davie. “Let the wheel A 
go round in twenty-four hours — I have . it — and the wheel B 
in twenty-four hours, fifty minutes and a half — fifty-seven 
being to fifty [twenty] -four, as fifty-nine to twenty-four 
hours, fifty minutes and a half, or very nearly, — I crave your 
forgiveness. Master George, and heartily wish you good-even.” 

“Good-even!” said Master George; “why, you have not 
wished me good-day yet. Come, old friend, lay by these tab- 
lets, or you will crack the inner machinery of your skull, as 
our friend yonder has got the outer case of his damaged. 
Good-night, quotha! I mean not to part with you so easily. 

I came to get my four hours’ nunchion from you, man, besides 
a tune on the lute from my god-daughter, Mrs. Marget.” 

“ Good faith ! I was abstracted. Master George ; but you 
know me. Whenever I get amongst the wheels,” said Mr. 
Ramsay, “why, ’tis ” 

“ Lucky that you deal in small ones, ” said his friend, as, 
awakened from his reveries and calculations, Ramsay led the 
way up a little back stair to the first story, occupied by his 
daughter and his little household. 

The apprentices resumed their places in the front shop and 
relieved Sam Porter; when Jenkin said to Tunstall: “Didst 
see, Frank, how the old goldsmith cottoned in with his beg- 
garly countryman? When would one of his wealth have 
shaken hands so courteously with a poor Englishman? Well, 
I’ll say that for the best of the Scots, that they will go over 
head and ears to serve a countryman, when they will not wet 
a nail of their finger to save a Southron, as they call us, from 
drowning. And yet Master George is but half-bred Scot 
neither in that respect ; for I have known him do many a kind 
thing to the English too.” 

“ But hark ye, Jenkin,” said Tunstall, “ I think you are but . 
half-bred English yourself. How came you to strike on the 
Scotsman’s side after all?” 

“Why, you did so, too,” answered Vincent. 

“ Ay, because I saw you begin ; and, besides, it is no Cum- 
berland fashion to fall fifty upon one,” replied Tunstall. 


58 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“And no Christ Church fashion neither,” said Jenkin. 
“Fair play and Old England for ever! Besides, to tell you a 
secret, his voice had a twang in it — in the dialect, I mean — 
reminded me of a little tongue which I think sweeter — sweeter 
than the last toll of St. Dunstan’s will sound on the day that 
I am shot of my indentures. Ha! you guess who I mean, 
Frank?” 

“Not I, indeed,” answered Tunstall. “Scotch Janet, I 
suppose, the laundress.” 

“ Off with J anet in her own bucking-basket ! — no, no, no ! 
You blind buzzard, do you not know I mean pretty Mrs. 
Marget?” 

“Umph!” answered Tunstall, drily. 

A flash of anger, not unmingled with suspicion, shot from 
Jenkin’ s keen black eyes. 

“Umph! and what signifies ‘umph’? I am not the first 
’prentice has married his master’s daughter, I suppose?” 

“They kept their own secret, I fancy,” said Tunstall, “at 
least till they were out of their time.” 

“I tell you what it is, Frank,” answered Jenkin, sharply, 
“ that may be the fashion of you gentlefolks, that are taught 
from your biggin to carry two faces under the same hood, but 
it shall never be mine.” 

“ There are the stairs, then, ” said Tunstall, coolly ; “ go up 
and ask Mrs. Marget of our master just now, and see what 
sort of a face he will wear under his hood.” 

“ No, I wonnot, ” answered J enkin ; “ I am not such a fool as 
that neither. But I will take my own time; and all the 
counts in Cumberland shall not cut my comb, and this is that 
which you may depend upon.” 

Francis made no reply ; and they resumed their usual atten- 
tion to the business of the shop, and their usual solicitations 
to the passengers.’ 


^ See George Heriot. Note 5. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


59 


CHAPTER III. 

Bobadil. I pray you, possess no gallant of your acquaintance with a 
knowledge of my lodging. 

Master Matthew. Who, I, sir? — Lord, sir! 

Ben Jonson. 

The next morning found Nigel Olifaunt, the young Lord of 
Glenvarloch, seated, sad and solitary, in his little apartment 
in the mansion of John Christie, the ship-chandler; which 
that honest tradesman, in gratitude perhaps to the profession 
from which he derived his chief support, appeared to have 
eonstructed as nearly as possible upon the plan of a ship’s 
cabin. 

It was situated near to Paul’s Wharf, at the end of one of 
those intricate and narrow lanes which, until that part of the 
city was swept away by the Great Fire in 1666, constituted 
an extraordinary labyrinth of small, dark, damp, and unwhole- 
some streets and alleys, in one corner or other of which the 
plague was then as surely found lurking as in the obscure 
corners of Constantinople in our own time. But John Chris- 
tie’s house looked out upon the river, and had the advantage, 
therefore, of free air, impregnated, however, with the odor- 
iferous fumes of the articles in which the ship-chandler dealt, 
with the odour of pitch, and the natural scent of the ooze and 
sludge left by the reflux of the tide. 

Upon the whole, except that his dwelling did not float with 
the flood-tide and become stranded with the ebb, the young 
loifl was nearly as comfortably accommodated as he was while 
on board the little trading brig from the long town of Kirk- 
caldy, in Fife, by which he had come a passenger to London. 
He received, however, every attention which could be paid 
him by his honest landlord, John Christie ; for Richie Moni- 
plies had not thought it necessary to preserve his master’s in- 
cognito so completely but that the honest ship-chandler could 
form a guess that his guest’s quality was superior to his ap- 
pearance. As for Dame Nelly, his wife, a round, buxom, 
laughter-loving dame, with black eyes, a tight, well-laced 


60 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


bodice, a green apron, and a red petticoat edged with a slight 
silver lace, and judiciously shortened so as to show that a 
short heel and a tight, clean ankle rested upon her well-bur- 
nished shoe — she, of course, felt interest in a young man 
who, besides being very handsome, good-humoured, and easily 
satisfied with the accommodations her house afforded, was 
evidently of a rank, as well as manners, highly superior to the 
skippers (or captains, as they called themselves) of merchant 
vessels, who were the usual tenants of the apartments which 
she let to hire, and at whose departure she was sure to find 
her well-scrubbed floor soiled with the relics of tobacco, which, 
spite of King James’s Counterblast,' was then forcing itself 
into use, and her best curtains impregnated with the odour of 
Geneva and strong waters, to Dame Nelly’s great indignation; 
for, as she truly said, the smell of the shop and warehouse was 
bad enough without these additions. 

But all Mr. Olif aunt’s habits were regular and cleanly, and 
his address, though frank and simple, showed so much of the 
courtier and gentleman as formed a strong contrast with the 
loud halloo, coarse jests, and boisterous impatience of her 
maritime inmates. Dame Nelly saw that her guest was mel- 
ancholy also, notwithstanding his efforts to seem contented 
and cheerful ; and, in short, she took that sort of interest in 
him, without being herself aware of its extent, which an un- 
scrupulous gallant might have been tempted to improve to the 
prejudice of honest John, who was at least a score of years 
older than his helpmate. Olifaimt, however, had not only 
other matters to think of, but would have regarded such an 
intrigue, had the idea ever occurred to him, as an abominable 
and ungrateful encroachment upon the laws of hospitality, his 
religion having been by his late father formed upon the strict 
principles of the national faith, and his morality upon those 
of the nicest honour. He had not escaped the predominant 
weakness of his country — an overweening sense of the pride 
of birth, and a disposition to value the worth and consequence 
of others according to the number and the fame of their de- 
ceased ancestors ; but this pride of family was well subdued, 

^ See Note 6. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


61 


and in general almost entirely concealed, by his good sense 
and general courtesy. 

Such as we have described him, Nigel Olifaunt, or rather 
the young Lord Glenvarloch, was, when our narrative l;akes 
him up, under great perplexity respecting the fate of his 
trusty and only follower, Richard Moniplies, who had been 
despatched by his young master early the preceding morning 
as far as the court at Westminster, but had not yet returned. 
His evening adventures the reader is already acquainted with, 
and so far knows more of Richie than did his master, who had 
not heard of him for twenty-four hours. Dame Nelly Chris- 
tie, in the mean time, regarded her guest with some anxiety, 
and a great desire to comfort him if possible. She placed on 
the breakfast-table a noble piece of cold powdered beef, with 
its usual guards of turnip and carrot, recommended her mus- 
tard as coming direct from her cousin at Tewkesbury, and 
spiced the toast with her own hands, and with her own hands, 
also, drew a jug of stout and nappy ale, all of which were ele- 
ments of the substantial breakfast of the period. 

When she saw that her guest’s anxiety prevented him from, 
doing justice to the good cheer which she set before him, she 
commenced her career of verbal consolation with the usual 
volubility of those women in her station who, conscious of 
good looks, good intentions, and good lungs, entertain no fear 
either of wearying themselves or of fatiguing their auditors. 

^‘Now, what the goodyear! are we to send you down to 
Scotland as thin as you came up? I am sure it would be 
contrary to the course of nature. There was my goodman’s 
father, old Sandie Christie, I have heard he was an atomy 
when he came up from the North, and I am sure he died, St. 
Barnaby was ten years, at twenty stone weight. I was a 
bare-headed girl at the time, and lived in the neighbourhood, 
though I had little thought of marrying John then, who had 
a score of years the better of me — but he is a thriving man 
and a kind husband — and his father, as I was saying, died as 
fat as a church-warden. Well, sir, but I hope I have not 
offended you for my little joke; and I hope the ale is to your 
honour’s liking — and the beef — and the mustard?” 


62 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


‘‘All excellent — all too good/’ answered Olifaunt; “you 
have everything so clean and tidy, dame, that I shall not know 
how to live when I go back to my own country — if eve'i’ I go 
back there.” 

This was added as it seemed involuntarily, and with a deep 
sigh. 

“ I warrant your honour go back again if you like it, ” said 
the dame ; “ unless you think rather of taking a pretty, well- 
dowered English lady, as some of your country folk have done. 
I assure you, some of the best of the city have married Scots- 
men. There was Lady Trebleplumb, Sir Thomas Treble- 
plumb the great Turkey merchant’s widow, married Sir Awley 
Macauley, whom your honour knows, doubtless; and pretty 
Mistress Doublefee, old sergeant Doublefee’s daughter, jumped 
out of window a^d was married at Mayfair to a Scotsman with 
a hard name; and old Pitchpost the timber-merchant’s daugh- 
ters did little better, for they married two Irishmen ; and when 
folks jeer me about having a Scotsman for lodger, meaning 
your honour, I tell them they are afraid of their daughters and 
their mistresses ; and sure I have a right to stand up for the 
Scots, since John Christie is half a Scotsman, and a thriving 
man, and a good husband, though there is a score of years 
between us ; and so I would have your honour cast care away, 
and mend your breakfast with a morsel and a draught.” 

“At a word, my kind hostess, I cannot,” said Olifaunt; 
“ I am anxious about this knave of mine, who has been so long 
absent in this dangerous town of yours.” 

It may be noticed in passing, that Dame Nelly’s ordinary 
mode of consolation was to disprove the existence of any cause 
for distress ; and she is said to have carried this so far as to 
comfort a neighbour, who had lost her husband, with the assur- 
ance that the dear defunct would be better to-morrow, which 
perhaps might not have proved an appropriate, even if it had 
been a possible, mode of relief. On this occasion she denied 
stoutly that Richie had been absent altogether twenty hours ; 
and as for people being killed in the streets of London, to be 
sure two men had been found in Tower Ditch last week, but 
that was far to the east ; and the other poor man that had his 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


63 


throat cut in the fields had met his mishap near by Islington ; 
and he that was stabbed by the young Templar in a drunken 
frolic, by St. Clement’s in the Strand, was an Irishman, — all 
which evidence she produced to show that none of these casu- 
alties had occurred in a case exactly parallel with that of 
Richie, a Scotsman, and on his return from Westminster. 

“ My better comfort is, my good dame, ” answered Olifaunt, 
^^that the lad is no brawler or quarreller, unless strongly 
urged, and that he has nothing valuable about him to any one 
but me.” 

Your honour speaks very well,” retorted the mexhaustible 
hostess, who protracted her task of taking away and putting 
to rights, in order that she might prolong her gossip. I’ll 
uphold Master Moniplies to be neither reveller nor brawler, 
for if he liked such things he might be visiting and junketing 
with the young folks about here in the neighbourhood, and he 
never dreams of it ; and when I asked the young man to go as 
far as my gossip’s. Dame Drinkwater, to taste a glass of 
aniseed and a bit of the groaning cheese — for Dame Drink- 
water has had twins, as I told your honour, sir — and I meant 
it quite civilly to the yoimg man, but he chose to sit and keep 
house with John Christie ; and I dare say there is a score of 
years between them, for your honour’s servant looks scarce 
much older than I am. I wonder what they could have to 
say to each other. I asked John Christie, but he bid me go 
to sleep.” 

If he comes not soon, ” said his master, “ I will thank you 
to tell me what magistrate I can address myself to ; for, be- 
sides my anxiety for the poor fellow’s safety, he has papers 
of importance about him.” 

“Oh! your honour may be assured he will be back in a 
quarter of an hour,” said Dame Nelly: “he is not the lad to 
stay out twenty -four hours at a stretch. And for the papers, 
I am sure your honour will pardon him for just giving me a 
peep at the corner, as I was giving him a small cup, not so 
large as my thimble, of distilled waters, to fortify his stomach 
against the damps, and it was directed to the King’s Most Ex- 
cellent Majesty j and so doubtless his Majesty has kept Richie 


64 WAVERLEY NOVELS. 

out of civility to consider of your honour’s letter, and send back 
a fitting reply. ” 

Dame Nelly here hit by chance upon a more available topic 
of consolation than those she had hitherto touched on j for the 
youthful lord had himself some vague hopes that his messenger 
might have been delayed at court until a fitting and favour- 
able answer should be despatched back to him. Inexperienced, 
however, in public affairs as he certainly was, it required only 
a moment’s consideration to convince him of the improbability 
of an expectation so contrary to all he had heard of etiquette, 
as well as the dilatory proceedings in a court suit, and he 
answered the good-natured hostess with a sigh, that he 
doubted whether the King would even look on the paper ad- 
dressed to him, far less take it into his immediate consid- 
eration. 

“Now, out upon you for a faint-hearted gentleman!” said 
the good dame; “ and why should he not do as much for us as 
our gracious Queen Elizabeth? Many people say this and 
that about a queen and a king, but I think a king comes more 
natural to us English folks ; and this good gentleman goes as 
often down by water to Greenwich, and employs as many of 
the bargemen and watermen of all kinds ; and maintains, in 
his royal grace, John Taylor, the Water Poet, who keeps 
both a sculler and a pair of oars. And he has made a comely 
court at Whitehall, just by the river ; and since the King is 
so good a friend to the Thames, I cannot see, if it please your 
honour, why all his subjects, and your honour in specialty, 
should not have satisfaction by his hands.” 

“ True, dame — true ; let us hope for the best ; but I must 
take my cloak and rapier, and pray your husband in courtesy 
to teach me the way to a magistrate.” 

“ Sure, sir, ” said the prompt dame, “ I can do that as well 
as he, who has been a slow man of his tongue all his life, 
though I will give him his due for being a loving husband, 
and a man as well to pass in the world as any betwixt us and 
the top of the lane. And so there is the sitting alderman, 
that is always at the Guildhall, which is close by Paul’s, and 
so I warrant you he puts all to rights in the city that wisdom 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


65 


can mend; and for the rest there is no help but patience. 
But I wish I were as sure of forty pounds as I am that the 
young man will come back safe and sound. 

Olifaunt, in great and anxious doubt of what the good dame 
so strongly averred, flung his cloak on one shoulder, and was 
about to belt on his rapier, when first the voice of Richie 
Moniplies on the stair, and then that faithful emissary’s ap- 
pearance in the chamber, put the matter beyond question. 
Dame Nelly, after congratulating Moniplies on his return, and 
paying several compliments to her own sagacity for having 
foretold it, was at length pleased to leave the apartment. 
The truth was, that, besides some instinctive feelings of good- 
breeding which combated her curiosity, she saw there was no 
chance of Richie’s proceeding in his narrative while she was 
in the room, and she therefore retreated, trusting that her 
own address would get the secret out of one or other of the 
young men, when she should have either by himself. 

^‘Now, in Heaven’s name, what is the matter?” said Nigel 
Olifaunt. “ Where have you been or what have you been 
about? You look as pale as death. There is blood on your 
hand, and your clothes are torn. What barns-breaking have 
you been at? You have been drunk, Richard, and fighting.” 

“Fighting I have been,” said Richard, “in a small way; 
but for being drunk, that’s a job ill to manage in this 
town, without money to come by liquor; and as for barns- 
breaking, the deil a thing’s broken but my head. It’s not 
made of iron, I wot, nor my claithes of chenzie-mail ; so a 
club smashed the tane, and a claught damaged the tither. 
Some misleard rascals abused my country, but I think I 
cleared the causey of them. However, the haill hive was ower 
mony for me at last, and I got this eclipse on the crown, and 
then I was carried, beyond my kenning, to a sma’ booth at 
the Temple Port, whare they sell the whirligigs and mony-go- 
rounds that measure out time as a man wad measure a tdrtan 
web; and then they bled me, wold I nold I, and were reason- 
ably civil, especially an auld countryman of ours, of whom 
more hereafter.” 

“ And at what o’clock might this be?” said Nigel. 

6 


66 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ The twa iron carles yonder, at the kirk beside the Port, * 
were just banging out sax o^ the clock. 

“And why came you not home as soon as you recovered?” 
said Nigel. 

“ In troth, my lord, every why has its wherefore, and this 
has a gude ane, ” answered his follower. “ To come hame, I 
behoved to ken whare hame was ; now, I had clean tint the 
name of the wynd, and the mair I asked, the mair the folk 
leugh, and the farther they sent me wrang ; sae I gave it up 
till God should send daylight to help me ; and as I saw my- 
sell near a kirk at the lang run, I e’en crap in to take up my 
night’s quarters in the kirkyard.” 

“In the churchyard?” said Nigel. “But I need not ask 
what drove you to such a pinch.” 

“It wasna sae much the want o’ siller, my Lord Nigel,” 
said Richie, with an air of mysterious importance, “ for I was 
no sae absolute without means, of whilk mair anon; but I 
thought I wad never ware a saxpence sterling on ane of their 
saucy chamberlains at a hostelry, sae lang as I could sleep 
fresh and fine in a fair, dry, spring night. Mony a time, 
when I hae come hame ower late, and faund the West Port 
steekit, and the waiter ill- willy, I have garr’d the sexton of 
St. Cuthbert’s caK-ward serve me for my quarters. But then 
there are dainty green grafis in St. Cuthbert’s kirkyard, where 
ane may sleep as if they were in a down-bed, till they hear the 
lavrock singing up in the air as high as the Castle ; whereas, 
and behold, these London kirkyards are causeyed with through- 
stanes, panged hard and fast thegither ; and my cloak, being 
something threadbare, made but a thin mattress, so I was fain 
to give up my bed before every limb about me was crippled. 
Dead folks may sleep yonder sound enow, but deil haet else.” 

“ And what became of you next?” said his master. 

“I just took to a canny bulk-head, as they ca’ them here; 
that is, the boards on the tap of their bits of outshots of stalls 
and booths, and there I sleepit as sound as if I was in a castle. 

^ The old church of St. Dunstan’s in Fleet Street had an overhanging 
clock with two bells, which were struck at the quarters by two wooden 
figures armed with clubs (Laing). 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


67 


Not but I was disturbed with some of the night-walking queans 
and swaggering billies, but when they found there was nothing 
to be got by me but a slash of my Andrew Ferrara, they bid 
me good-night for a beggarly Scot ; and I was e^en weel pleased 
to be sae cheap rid of them. And in the morning I cam 
daikering here; but sad wark I had to find the way, for I 
had been east as far as the place they ca’ Mile End, though it 
is mair like sax-mile-end. 

“Well, Richie,” answered Nigel, “I am glad all this has 
ended so well. Go get something to eat. I am sure you 
need it.” 

“In troth do I, sir,” replied Moniplies; “but, with your 
lordship’s leave ” 

“Forget the lordship for the present, Richie, as I have 
often told you before.” 

“Faith,” replied Richie, “I could weel forget that your 
honour was a lord, but then I behoved to forget that I am a 
lord’s man, and that’s not so easy. But however,” he added, 
assisting his description with the thumb and the two fore- 
fingers of his right hand, thrust out after the fashion of a 
bird’s claw, while the little finger and ring-finger were closed 
upon the palm, “to the court I went, and my friend that 
promised me a sight of his Majesty’s most gracious presence 
was as gude as his word, and carried me into the back offices, 
where I got the best breakfast I have had since we came here, 
and it did me gude for the rest of the day ; for as to what I 
have eaten in this accursed town, it is aye sauced with the 
disquieting thought that it maun be paid for. After a’, there 
was but beef banes and fat brose ; but king’s cauff, your honour 
kens, is better than ither folks’ corn ; at ony rate, it was a’ in 
free awmous. But I see, ” he added, stopping short, “ that your 
honour waxes impatient.” 

“ By no means, Richie, ” said the young nobleman, with an 
air of resignation, for he well knew his domestic would not 
mend his pace for goading ; “ you have suffered enough in the 
embassy to have a right to tell the story in your own way. 
Only let me pray for the name of the friend who was to intro- 
duce you into the King’s presence. You were very mysterious 


68 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


on the subject, when you undertook, through his means, to have 
the supplication put into his Majesty’s own hands, since those 
sent heretofore, I have every reason to think, went no farther 
than his secretary’s.” 

Weel, my lord,” said Richie, “ I did not tell you his name 
and quality at first, because I thought you would be affronted 
at the like of him having to do in your lordship’s affairs. 
But mony a man climbs up in court by waur help. It was 
just Laurie Linklater, one of the yeomen of the kitchen, that 
was my father’s apprentice lang syne.” 

“A yeoman of the kitchen — a scullion!” exclaimed Lord 
Nigel, pacing the room in displeasure. 

But consider, sir, ” said Richie, composedly, “ that a’ your 
great friends hung back, and shunned to own you, or to advo- 
cate your petition ; and then, though I am sure I wish Laurie 
a higher office, for your lordship’s sake and for mine, and 
specially for his ain sake, being a friendly lad, yet your lord- 
ship must consider, that a scullion, if a yeoman of the king’s 
most royal kitchen may be called a scullion, may weel rank 
with a master cook elsewhere; being that king’s cauff, as I 
said before, is better than ” 

You are right, and I was wrong, ” said the young noble- 
man. I have no choice of means of making my case known, 
so that they be honest.” 

“ Laurie is as honest a lad as ever lifted a ladle, ” said Richie ; 
not but what I dare to say he can lick his fingers like other 
folk, and reason good. But, in fine, for I see your honour is 
waxing impatient, he brought me to the palace, where a’ was 
astir for the King going out to hunt or hawk on Blackheath, 
I think they ca’d it. And there was a horse stood with all 
the quarries about it, a bonny grey as ever was foaled ; and 
the saddle and the stirrups, and the curb and bit, o’ burning 
gowd, or silver gilded at least ; and down, sir, came the King, 
with all his nobles, dressed out in his hunting-suit of green, 
doubly laced, and laid down with gowd. I minded the very 
face o’ him, though it was lang since I saw him. But ^My 
certie, lad,’ thought I, ‘times are changed since ye came flee- 
ing down the backstairs of auld Holyrood House, in grit fear, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


69 


having your breeks in your hand without time to put them 
on, and Frank Stewart, the wild Earl of Bothwell, hard at 
your haunches ; and if auld Lord Glenvarloch hadna cast his 
mantle about his arm, and taken bluidy wounds mair than 
ane in your behalf, you wad not have craw’d sae crouse this 
day’ ; and so saying, I could not but think your lordship’s 
sifflication could not be less than most acceptable ; and so I 
banged in among the crowd of lords. Laurie thought me 
mad, and held me by the cloak-lap till the cloth rave in his 
handj and so I banged in right before the King just as he 
mounted, and crammed the sifflication into his hand, and he 
opened it like in amaze j and just as he saw the first line, I 
was minded to make a reverence, and I had the ill luck to 
hit his jaud o’ a beast on the nose with my hat and scaur 
the creature, and she swarved aside, and the King, that 
sits na mickle better than a drafP-pock on the saddle, was 
like to have gotten a clean coup, and that might have cost 
my craig a raxing; and he flung down the paper amang 
the beast’s feet, and cried: ‘Away wi’ the fause loon that 
brought it!’ And they grippit me, and cried ‘Treason’; and 
I thought of the Ruthvens that were dirked in their ain house, 
for, it may be, as small a forfeit. However, they spak only 
of scourging me, and had me away to the porter’s lodge to try 
the tawse on my back, and I was crying mercy as loud as I 
could; and the King, when he had righted himsell on the 
saddle, and gathered his breath, cried to do me nae harm. 
‘For,’ said, he, ‘he is ane. of our ain Norland stots, I ken by 
the rowt of him’ ; and they a’ laughed and rowted loud enough. 
And then he said: ‘Gie him a copy of the proclamation, and 
let him go down to the North by the next light collier, before 
waur come o’t. ’ So they let me go, and rode out, a’ snigger- 
ing, laughing, and rounding in ilk ither’s lugs. A sair life I 
had wi’ Laurie Linklater ; fc r he said it wad be the ruin of 
him. And then, when I to'd him it was in your matter, he 
said if he had known befor i he would have risked a scauding 
for you, because he minded the brave old lord, your father. 
And then he showed how I suld have done, and that I suld 
have held up my hand to my brow, as if the grandeur of the 


70 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


King and his horse-graith thegither had casten the glaiks in 
my een, and mair jackanape tricks I suld hae played, instead 
of offering the sifflication, he said, as if I had been bringing 
guts to a bear.' ‘For,’ said he, ‘Richie, the King is a weel- 
natured and just man of his ain kindly nature, but he has a 
wheel! maggots that maun be cannily guided ; and then, 
Richie,’ says he, in a very laigh tone, ‘I would tell it to nane 
but a wise man like yoursell, but the King has them about him 
wad corrupt an angel from Heaven; but I could have gi’en 
you avisement how to have guided him, but now it’s like after 
meat mustard.’ ‘Aweel — aweel, Laurie,’ said I, ‘it maybe 
as you say; but since I am clear of the tawse and the porter’s 
lodge, sifflicate wha like, deil hae Richie Moniplies if he come 
sifflicating here again.’ And so away I came, and I wasna 
far by the Temple Port, or Bar, or whatever they ca’ it, when 
I met with the misadventure that I tauld you of before.” 

“Well, my honest Richie,” said Lord Nigel, “your attempt 
was well meant, and not so ill conducted, I think, as to have 
deserved so bad an issue ; but go to your beef and mustard, 
and we’ll talk of the rest afterwards.” 

“ There is nae mair to be spoken, sir, ” said his follower, 
“ except that I met ane very honest, fair-spoken, weel-put-on 
gentleman, or rather burgher, as I think, that was in the 
whigmaleery man’s back shop; and when he learned wha I 
was, behold he was a kindly Scot himsell, and, what is more, 
a town’s-bairn o’ the gude town, and he behoved to compel 
me to take this Portugal piece, to drink forsooth— ‘My certie,’ 
thought I, ‘we ken better, for we will eat it ’ — and he spoke 
of paying your lordship a visit.” 

“You did not tell him where I lived, you knave?” said the 
Lord Nigel, angrily. “’Sdeath! I shall have every clownish 
burgher from Edinburgh come to gaze on my distress, and pay 
a shilling for having seen the motion of the poor noble!” 

“ Tell him where you lived?” said Richie, evading the ques- 
tion. “How could I tell him what I kenn’dna my sell? If I 
had minded the name of the wynd, I need not have slept in 
the kirkyard yestreen.” 

» See James’s Love of Flattery. Note 7. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


71 


See, then, that you give no one notice of our lodging, ” 
said the young nobleman j “ those with whom I have business 
I can meet at PauUs or in the Court of Requests/^ 

“ This is steeking the stable-door when the steed is stolen, ” 
thought Richie to himself j but I must put him on another 
pin. ” 

So thinking, he asked the young lord what was in the proc- 
lamation which he still held folded in his hand j “ for, having 
little time to spell at it, ” said he, “ your lordship well knows 
I ken nought about it but the grand blazon at the tap ; the 
lion has gotten a claught of our auld Scottish shield now, but 
it was as weel upheld when it had a unicorn on ilk side of it.” 

Lord Nigel read the proclamation, and he coloured deep 
with shame and indignation as he read ; for the purport was, 
to his injured feelings, like the pouring of ardent spirits upon 
a recent wound. 

“ What deiPs in the paper, my lord?” said Richie, unable 
to suppress his curiosity as he observed his master change 
colour. “ I wadna ask such a thing, only the proclamation is 
not a private thing, but is meant for a’ men’s hearing.” 

“It is indeed meant for all men’s hearing,” replied Lord 
Nigel, “ and it proclaims the shame of our country and the 
ingratitude of our prince. ” 

“ Now the Lord preserve us ! and to publish it in London, 
too!” ejaculated Moniplies. 

“Hark ye, Richard,” said Nigel Olifaunt, “in this paper 
the Lords of the Council set forth that, Hn consideration of 
the resort of idle persons of low condition forth from his 
Majesty’s kingdom of Scotland to his English court, filling the 
same with their suits and supplications, and dishonouring the 
royal presence with their base, poor, and beggarly persons, to 
the disgrace of their country in the estimation of the Eng- 
lish — these are to prohibit the skippers, masters of vessels 
and others, in every part of Scotland, from bringing such 
miserable creatures up to court, under pain of fine and im- 
prisonment. ’ ” 

“ I marie the skipper took us on board, ” said Richie. 

“ Then you need not marvel how you are to get back again, ” 


72 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


said Lord Nigel, “ for here is a clause which says that such idle 
suitors are to be transported back to Scotland at his Majesty’s 
expense, and punished for their audacity with stripes, stock- 
ing, or incarceration, according to their demerits; that is to 
say, I suppose, according to the degree of their poverty, for I 
see no other demerit specified. ” 

“This will scarcely,” said Richie, “square with our old 
proverb : 

A king’s face 
Should give grace. 

But what says the paper farther, my lord?” 

“ Oh, only a small clause which especially concerns us, mak- 
ing some still heavier denunciations against those suitors who 
shall be so bold as to approach the court, under pretext of 
seeking payment of old debts due to them by the King, which, 
the paper states, is, of all species of importunity, that which 
is most odious to his Majesty.” ‘ 

“ The King has neighbours in that matter, ” said Richie ; 
“ but it is not every one that can shift off that sort of cattle 
so easily as he does.” 

Their conversation was here interrupted by a knocking at 
the door. Olifaunt looked out at the window, and saw an 
elderly respectable person whom he knew not. Richie also 
peeped, and recognised, but, recognising, chose not to ac- 
knowledge, his friend of the preceding evening. Afraid that 
his share in the visit might be detected, he made his escape 
out of the apartment under pretext of going to his breakfast; 
and left their landlady the task of ushering Master George 
into Lord Nigel’s apartment, which she performed with much 
courtesy. 

1 See Proclamation against the Scots. Note .8. 


73 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


CHAPTER IV. 

Ay, sir, the clouted shoe hath ofttimes craft in’t, 

As says the rustic proverb ; and your citizen. 

In’s grograra suit, gold chain, and well-black’d shoes. 

Bears under his flat cap ofttimes a brain 
Wiser than burns beneath the cap and feather. 

Or seethes within the statesman’s velvet nightcap. 

Read me my Riddle. 

The young Scottish nobleman recei,ved the citizen with dis- 
tant politeness, expressing that sort of reserve by which those 
of the higher ranks are sometimes willing to make a plebeian 
sensible that he is an intruder. But Master George seemed 
neither displeased nor disconcerted. He assumed the chair 
which, in deference to his respectable appearance. Lord Nigel 
offered to him, and said, after a moment’s pause, during which 
he had looked attentively at the young man, with respect not 
immingled with emotion : “ You will forgive me for this rude- 
ness, my lord ; but I was endeavouring to trace in your youth- 
ful countenance the features of my good old lord, your excellent 
father. ” 

There was a moment’s pause ere young Glenvarloch replied, 
still with a reserved manner : I have been reckoned like my 
father, sir; and am happy to see any one that respects his 
memory. But the business which calls me to this city is of 

a hasty as well as a private nature, and ” 

I understand the hint, my lord, ” said Master George, “ and 
would not be guilty of long detaining you from business or 
more agreeable conversation. My errand is almost done when 
I have said that my name is George Heriot, warmly befriend- 
ed, and introduced into the employment of the royal family 
of Scotland, more than twenty years since, by your excellent 
father ; and that, learning from a follower of yours that your 
lordship was in this city in prosecution of some business of 
importance, it is my duty — it is my pleasure — to wait on the 
son of my respected patron ; and, as I am somewhat known 


74 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


both at the court and in the city, to offer him such aid in the 
furthering of his affairs as my credit and experience may be 
able to afford.” 

have no doubt of either, Master Heriot,” said Lord 
Nigel, “ and I thank you heartily for the good-will with which 
you have placed them at a stranger’s disposal; but my busi- 
ness at court is done and ended, and I intend to leave London, 
and, indeed, the island, for foreign travel and military ser- 
vice. I may add, that the suddenness of my departure occa- 
sions my having little time at my disposal.” 

Master Heriot did not take the hint, but sat fast, with an 
embarrassed countenance, however, like one who had some- 
thing to say that he knew not exactly how to make effectual. 
At length he said, with a dubious smile : You are fortunate, 
my lord, in having so soon despatched your business at court. 
Your talking landlady informs me you have been but a fort- 
night in this city. It is usually months and years ere the 
court and a suitor shake hands and part.” 

^‘My business,” said Lord Nigel, with a brevity which was 
intended to stop further discussion, “was summarily des- 
patched.” 

Stni Master Heriot remained seated, and there was a cordial 
good-humour added to the reverence of his appearance, which 
rendered it impossible for Lord Nigel to be more explicit in 
requesting his absence. 

“ Your lordship has not yet had time, ” said the citizen, still 
attempting to sustain the conversation, “ to visit the places of 
amusement — the playhouses and other places to which youth 
resort. But I see in your lordship’s hand one of the new- 
invented plots ’ of the piece, which they hand about of late. 
May I ask what play?” 

“Oh! a well-known piece,” said Lord Nigel, impatiently 
throwing down the proclamation, which he had hitherto been 
twisting to and fro in his hand — “ an excellent and well-ap- 
proved piece — A New Way to Pay Old DebtsP 

Master Heriot stooped down, saying, “ Ah ! my old acquaint- 
ance, Philip Massinger”; but, having opened the paper and 
» Meaning, probably, playbills. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


76 


seen the purport, he looked at Lord Nigel with surprise, say- 
ing : “I trust your lordship does not think this prohibition can 
extend either to your person or your claims?” 

“ I should scarce have thought so myself, ” said the young 
nobleman; ‘^but so it proves. His Majesty, to close this dis- 
course at once, has been pleased to send me this proclamation, 
in answer to a respectful supplication for the repayment of 
large loans advanced by my father for the service of the state, 
in the King’s utmost emergencies.” 

‘^It is impossible!” said the citizen — “it is absolutely im- 
possible! If the King could forget what was due to your 
father’s memory, stUl he would not have wished — would not, I 
may say, have dared — to be so flagrantly unjust to the memory 
of such a man as your father, who, dead in the body, will long 
live in the memory of the Scottish people.” 

“ I should have been of your opinion,” answered Lord Nigel, 
in the same tone as before ; “ but there is no fighting with 
facts. ” 

“What was the tenor of this supplication?” said Heriot; 
“or by whom was it presented? Something strange there 
must have been in the contents, or else ” 

“ You may see my original draught,” said the young lord, 
taking it out of a small travelling strong-box ; “ the technical 
part is by my lawyer in Scotland, a skilful and sensible man ; 
the rest is my own, drawn, I hope, with due deference and 
modesty.” 

Master Heriot hastily cast his eye over the draught. 
“ Nothing, ” he said, “ can be more well-tempered and respect- 
ful. Is it possible the King can have treated this petition 
with contempt?” 

“ He threw it down on the pavement, ” said the Lord of 
Glenvarloch, “ and sent me for answer that proclamation, in 
which he classes me with the paupers and mendicants from 
Scotland, who disgrace his court in the eyes of the proud 
English — that is all. Had not my father stood by him with 
heart, sword, and fortune, he might never have seen the court 
of England himself.” 

“ But by whom was this supplication presented, my lord?” 


76 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


said Heriot; “for the distaste taken at the messenger will 
sometimes extend itself to the message/^ 

“By my servant/’ said the Lord Nigel — “by the man yon 
saw, and, I think, were kind to.” 

“By your servant, my lord?” said the citizen; “he seems 
a shrewd fellow, and doubtless a faithful ; but surely ” 

“ You would say,” said Lord Nigel, “he is nO fit messenger 
to a king’s presence? Surely he is not; but what could I do? 
Every attempt I had made to lay my case before the King 
had miscarried, and my petitions got no farther than the 
budget of clerks and secretaries; this fellow pretended he 
had a friend in the household that would bring him to the 
King’s presence, and so ” 

“I understand,” said Heriot; “but, my lord, why should 
you not, in right of your rank and birth, have appeared at 
court, and required an audience, which could not have been 
denied to you?” 

The young lord blushed a little, and looked at his dress, 
which was very plain ; and, though in perfect good order, had 
the appearance of having seen service. 

“I know not why I should be ashamed of speaking the 
truth, ” he said, after a momentary hesitation : “ I had no dress 
suitable for appearing at court. I am determined to incur 
no expenses which I cannot discharge ; and I think you, sir, 
would not advise me to stand at the palace door in person and 
deliver my petition along with those who are in very deed 
pleading their necessity and begging an alms.” 

“ That had been, indeed, unseemly, ” said the citizen ; “ but 
yet, my lord, my mind runs strangely that there must be some 
mistake. Can I speak with your domestic?” 

“ I see little good it can do, ” answered the young lord, “ but 
the interest you take in my misfortunes seems sincere, and 
therefore ” He stamped on the fioor, and in a few sec- 

onds afterwards Moniplies appeared, wiping from his beard 
and mustachios the crumbs of bread and the froth of the ale- 
pot, which plainly showed how he had been employed. “ Will 
your lordship grant permission, ” said Heriot, “ that I ask your 
groom a few questions?” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


77 


“His lordship’s page, Master George,” answered Moni- 
plies, with a nod of acknowledgment, “if you are minded 
to speak according to the letter.” 

“ Hold your saucy tongue, ” said his master, “ and reply 
distinctly to the questions you are to be asked.” 

“ And truly, if it like your pageship, ” said the citizen, “ for 
you may remember I have a gift to discover falset.” 

“ Weel — weel — weel,” replied the domestic, somewhat em- 
barrassed, in spite of his effrontery, “though I think that 
the sort of truth that serves my master may weel serve ony 
ane else.” 

“ Pages lie to their masters by right of custom, ” said the 
citizen ; “ and you write yourself in that band, though I think 
you be among the oldest of such springalds ; but to me you 
must speak truth, if you would not have it end in the whip- 
ping-post. ” 

“And that’s e’en a bad resting-place,” said the well-grown 
page ; “ so come away with your questions. Master George. ” 

“Well, then,” demanded the citizen, “I am given to under- 
stand that you yesterday presented to his Majesty’s hand a sup- 
plication, or petition, from this honourable lord, your master.” 

“Troth, there’s nae gainsaying that, sir,” replied Moni- 
plies; “there were enow to see it besides me.” 

“ And you pretend that his Majesty flung it from him with 
contempt?” said the citizen. “Take heed, for I have means 
of knowing the truth ; and you were better up to the neck in 
the Nor’ Loch, which you like so well, than tell a leasing 
where his Majesty’s name is concerned.” 

“ There is nae occasion for leasing-making about the mat- 
ter,” answered Moniplies, firmly; “his Majesty e’en flung it 
frae him as if it had dirtied his Angers. ” 

“You hear, sir,” said Olifaunt, addressing Heriot. 

“Hush!” said the sagacious citizen; “this fellow is not ill- 
named : he has more plies than one in his cloak. Stay, fel- 
low, ” for Moniplies, muttering somewhat about finishing his 
breakfast, was beginning to shamble towards the door, “ an- 
swer me this farther question : When you gave your master’s 
petition to his Majesty, gave you nothing with it?” 


78 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ Ou, what should I give wi’ it, ye ken, Master George?” 

‘‘That is what I desire and insist to know,” replied his 
interrogator. 

“ Weel, then — I am not free to say that maybe I might not 
just slip into the King’s hand a wee bit sifflication of mine 
ain, along with my lord’s — just to save his Majesty trouble, 
and that he might consider them baith at ance. ” 

“A supplication of your own, you varlet!” said his master. 

“Ou dear, ay, my lord,” said Richie; “puir bodies hae 
their bits of sifflications as weel as their betters.” 

“And pray, what might your worshipful petition import?” 
said Master Heriot. “Nay, for Heaven’s sake, my lord, keep 
your patience, or we shall never learn the truth of this strange 
matter. Speak out, sirrah, and I will stand your friend with 
my lord.” 

“ It’s a lang story to tell — but the upshot is, that it’s a 
scrape of an auld accompt due to my father’s y estate by her 
Majesty, the King’s maist gracious mother, when she lived in 
the Castle, and had sundry providings and furnishings forth 
of our booth, whilk nae doubt was an honour to my father to 
supply, and whilk, doubtless, it will be a credit to his Maj- 
esty to satisfy, as it will be grit convenience to me to receive 
the saam.” 

“ What string of impertinence is this?” said his master. 

“ Every word as true as e’er John Knox spoke,” said Richie ; 
“here’s the bit double of the sifflication.” 

Master George took a crumpled paper from the fellow’s 
hand, and said, muttering betwixt his teeth: “‘Humbly 
showeth — um — um — his Majesty’s maist gracious mother — 
um — um — justly addebted and owing the sum of fifteen merks 
— the compt whereof followeth: — Twelve nowte’s feet for 
jellies — ane lamb, being Christmas — ane roasted capin in 
grease for the privy chalmer, when my Lord of Bothwell sup- 
pit with her Grace. ’ I think, my lord, you can hardly be sur- 
prised that the King gave this petition a brisk reception ; and 
I conclude. Master Page, that you took care to present your 
own supplication before your master’s?” 

“Troth did I not,” answered Moniplies; “I thought to 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


79 


have given my lord’s first, as was reason gude; and besides 
that, it wad have redd the gate for my ain little bill. But 
what wi’ the dirdum an’ confusion, an’ the loupin’ here and 
there of the skeigh brute of a horse, I believe I crammed them 
baith into his hand cheek-by-jowl, and maybe my ain was 
bunemost ; and say there was aught wrang, I am sure I had 
a’ the fright and a’ the risk ” 

“ And shall have all the beating, you rascal knave, ” said 
Nigel. “ Am I to be insulted and dishonoured by your prag- 
matical insolence, in blending your base concerns with mine?” 

‘‘Nay — nay — ^nay, my lord,” said the good-humoured citi- 
zen, interposing; “I have been the means of bringing the 
fellow’s blunder to light, allow me interest enough with your 
lordship to be bail for his bones. You have cause to be 
angry, but still I think the knave mistook more out of conceit 
than of purpose; and I judge you will have the better service 
of him another time if you overlook this fault. Get you 
gone, sirrah; I’ll make your peace.” 

“ Na — na, ” said Moniplies, keeping his ground firmly, “ if 
he likes to strike a lad that has followed him for pure love, 
for I think there has been little servant’s fee between us, a’ 
the way frae Scotland, just let my lord be doing, and see the 
credit he will get by it; and I would rather — mony thanks to 
you though. Master George — stand by a lick of his baton than 
it suld e’er be said a stranger came between us.” 

“ Go, then,” said his master, “ and get out of my sight.” 

“ Aweel, I wot that is sune done, ” said Moniplies, retiring 
slowly; “I did not come without I had been ca’d for, and I 
wad have been away half an hour since with my gude will, 
only Maister George keepit me to answer his interrogation, 
forsooth, and that has made a’ this stir.” 

And so he made his grumbling exit, with the tone much 
rather of one who has sustained an injury than who has done 
wrong. 

“ There never was a man so plagued as I am with a mala- 
pert knave! The fellow is shrewd, and I have found him 
faithful. I believe he loves me, too, and he has given proofs 
of it ; but then he is so uplifted in his own conceit, so self- 


80 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


willed, and so self-opinioned, that lie seems to become the 
master and I the man ; and whatever blunder he commits, he 
is sure to make as loud complaints as if the whole error lay 
with me, and in no degree with himself. 

“Cherish him, and maintain him, nevertheless,’’ said the 
citizen ; “ for believe my grey hairs, that affection and fidel- 
ity are now rarer qualities in a servitor than when the world 
was younger. Yet, trust him, my good lord, with no com- 
mission above his birth or breeding, for you see yourself how 
it may chance to fall.” 

“It is but too evident. Master Heriot,” said the young 
nobleman; “ and I am sorry I have done injustice to my sov- 
ereign, and your master. But I am, like a true Scotsman, 
wise behind hand; the mistake has happened, my supplica- 
tion has been refused, and my only resource is to employ the 
rest of my means to carry Moniplies and myself to some coun- 
terscarp, and die in the battle-front like my ancestors.” 

“ It were better to live and serve your country like your 
noble father, my lord,” replied Master George. “Nay — nay, 
never look down or shake your head. The King has not re- 
fused your supplication, for he has not seen it ; you ask but 
justice, and that his place obliges him to give to his subjects — 
ay, my lord, and I will say that his natural temper doth in this 
hold bias with his duty.” 

“ I were well pleased to think so, and yet said Nigel 

Olifaunt. “ I speak not of my own wrongs, but my country 
hath many that are unredressed. ” 

“ My lord, ” said Master Heriot, “ I speak of my royal mas- 
ter not only with the respect due from a subject, the gratitude 
to be paid by a favoured servant, but also with the frankness 
of a free and loyal Scotsman. The King is himself well dis- 
posed to hold the scales of justice even; but there are those 
around him who can throw without detection their own selfish 
wishes and base interests into the scale. You are already a 
sufferer by this, and without your knowing it.” 

“ I am surprised. Master Heriot, ” said the young lord, “ to 
hear you, upon so short an acquaintance, talk as if you were 
familiarly acquainted with my affairs.” 


THE FORTUKES OF NIGEL. 


81 


“ My lord, replied the goldsmith, ‘‘ the nature of my em- 
ployment affords me direct access to the interior of the pal- 
ace; I am well known to he no meddler in intrigues or party 
affairs, so that no favourite has as yet endeavoured to shut 
against me the door of the royal closet ; on the contrary, I 
have stood well with each while he was in power, and I have 
not shared the fall of any. But I cannot be thus connected 
with the court without hearing, even against my will, what 
wheels are in motion, and how they are checked or forwarded. 
Of course, when I choose to seek such intelligence, I know 
the sources in which it is to be traced. I have told you why 
I was interested in your lordship’s fortunes. It was last 
night only that I knew you were in this city, yet I have been 
able, in coming hither this morning, to gain for you some in- 
formation respecting the impediments to your suit.” 

“ Sir, I am obliged by your zeal, however little it may be 
merited,” answered Nigel, still with some reserve; “yet I 
hardly know how I have deserved this interest. ” 

“ First let me satisfy you that it is real, ” said the citizen. 
“ I blame you not for being unwilling to credit the fair pro- 
fessions of a stranger in my inferior class of society, when 
you have met so little friendship from relations and those of 
your own rank, bound to have assisted you by so many ties. 
But mark the cause. There is a mortgage over your father’s 
extensive estate, to the amount of 40,000 merks, due osten- 
sibly to Peregrine Peterson, the Conservator of Scottish Priv- 
ileges at Campvere.” 

“ I know nothing of a mortgage, ” said the young lord ; “ but 
there is a wadset for such a sum, which, if unredeemed, will 
occasion the forfeiture of my whole paternal estate, for a sum 
not above a fourth of its value ; and it is for that very reason 
that I press the King’s government for a settlement of the 
debts due to my father, that I may be able to redeem my land 
from this rapacious creditor.” 

“A wadset in Scotland,” said Heriot, “is the same with a 
mortgage on this side of the Tweed ; but you are not acquaint- 
ed with your real creditor. The Conservator Peterson only 
lends his name to shroud no less a man than the Lord Chan- 
6 


82 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


cellor of Scotland, who hopes, under cover of this debt, to 
gain possession of the estate himself, or perhaps to gratify a 
yet more powerful third party. He will probably suffer his 
creature Peterson to take possession, and when the odium of 
the transaction shall be forgotten, the property and lordship 
of Glenvarloch will be conveyed to the great man by his ob- 
sequious instrument, under cover of a sale or some similar 
device. ” 

“Can this be possible?” said Lord Nigel. “The chancel- 
lor wept when I took leave of him — called me his cousin, even 
his son — furnished me with letters, and, though I asked him 
for no pecuniary assistance, excused himself unnecessarily for 
not pressing it on me, alleging the expenses of his rank and 
his large family. No, I cannot believe a nobleman would 
carry deceit so far.” 

“ I am not, it is true, of noble blood, ” said the citizen ; “ but 
once more I bid you look on my grey hairs, and think what 
can be my interest in dishonouring them with falsehood in 
affairs in which I have no interest, save as they regard the 
son of my benefactor. Reflect also, have you had any advan- 
tage from the Lord Chancellor’s letters?” 

“None,” said Nigel Olifaunt, “except cold deeds and fair 
words. I have thought for some time, their only object was 
to get rid of me ; one yesterday pressed money on me when I 
talked of going abroad, in order that I might not want the 
means of exiling myself.” 

“Right,” said Heriot; “rather than you fled not, they 
would themselves furnish wings for you to fly withal. ” 

“ I will to him this instant, ” said the incensed youth, “ and 
tell him my mind of his baseness.” 

“Under your favour,” said Heriot, detaining him, “you 
shall not do so. By a quarrel you would become the ruin of 
me your informer ; and though I would venture half my shop 
to do your lordship a service, I think you would hardly wish 
me to come by damage, when it can be of no service to you.” 

The word “ shop” sounded harshly in the ear of the young 
nobleman, who replied hastily : “ Damage, sir ! So far am I 
from wishing you to incur damage, that I would to Heaven 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


83 


you would cease your fruitless offers of serving one whom 
there is no chance of ultimately assisting.’^ 

“ Leave me alone for that, ” said the citizen ; “ you have now 
erred as far on the bow-hand. Permit me to take this sup- 
plication ; I will have it suitably engrossed, and take my own 
time — and it shall be an early one — for placing it, with more 
prudence, I trust, than that used by your follower, in the 
King’s hand. I will almost answer for his taking up the 
matter as you would have him ; but should he fail to do so, 
even then I will not give up the good cause.” 

“ Sir, ” said the young nobleman, “ your speech is so friendly, 
and my own state so helpless, that I know not how to refuse 
your kind proffer, even while I blush to accept it at the hands 
of a stranger.” 

‘^We are, I trust, no longer such,” said the goldsmith; 
and for my guerdon, when my mediation proves successful, 
and your fortunes are re-established, you shall order your 
first cupboard of plate from George Heriot.” 

“ You would have a bad paymaster. Master Heriot, ” said 
Lord Nigel. 

“ I do not fear that, ” replied the goldsmith ; “ and I am 
glad to see you smile, my lord — methinks it makes you look 
still more like the good old lord your father ; and it emboldens 
me, besides, to bring out a small request, that you would take 
a homely dinner with me to-morrow. I lodge hard by, in 
Lombard Street. For the cheer, my lord, a mess of white 
broth, a fat capon well larded, a dish of beef collops for auld 
Scotland’s sake, and it may be a cup of right old wine, that 
was barrelled before Scotland and England were one nation. 
Then for company, one or two of our own loving countrymen ; 
and maybe my housewife may find out a bonny Scots lass 
or so.” 

I would accept your courtesy. Master Heriot, ” said Nigel, 
“ but I hear the city ladies of London like to see a man gal- 
lant ; I would not like to let down a Scottish nobleman in their 
ideas, as doubtless you have said the best of our poor country, 
and I rather lack the means of bravery for the present.” 

“ My lord, your frankness leads me a step farther, ” said 


84 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Master George. “ I — I owed your father some monies, and 
— nay, if your lordship looks at me so fixedly, I shall never 
tell my story — and, to speak plainly — for I never could carry 
a lie well through in my life — it is most fitting that, to so- 
licit this matter properly, your lordship should go to court 
in a manner beseeming your quality. I am a goldsmith, and 
live by lending money as well as by selling plate. I am 
ambitious to put an hundred pounds to be at interest in your 
hands, till your affairs are settled.^’ 

And if they are never favourably settled?” said Nigel. 

“Then, my lord,” returned the citizen, “the miscarriage 
of such a sum will be of little consequence to me, compared 
with other subjects of regret.” 

“Master Heriot,” said the Lord Nigel, “your favour is 
generously offered, and shall be frankly accepted. I must 
presume that you see your way through this business, though 
I hardly do ; for I think you would be grieved to add any 
fresh burden to me, by persuading me to incur debts which I 
am not likely to discharge. I will therefore take your money, 
under the hope and trust that you will enable me to repay you 
punctually. ” 

“ I will convince you, my lord, ” said the goldsmith, “ that I 
mean to deal with you as a creditor [debtor] from whom I ex- 
pect payment ; and therefore you shall, with your own good 
pleasure, sign an acknowledgment for these monies, and an 
obligation to content and repay me.” 

He then took from his girdle his writing-materials, and, 
writing a few lines to the purport he expressed, pulled out a 
small bag of gold from a side-pouch under his cloak, and, ob- 
serving that it should contain an hundred pounds, proceeded 
to tell out the contents very methodically upon the table. 
Nigel Olifaunt could not help intimating that this was an un- 
necessary ceremonial, and that he would take the bag of gold 
on the word of his obliging creditor ; but this was repugnant 
to the old man’s forms of transacting business. 

“Bear with me,” he said, “my good lord; we citizens are 
a wary and thrifty generation, and I should lose my good 
name for ever within the toll of Paul’s were I to grant quit- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL 


86 


tance or take acknowledgment without bringing the money to 
actual tale. I think it be right now ; and, body of me, he 
said, looking out at the window, “ yonder come my boys with 
my mule ; for I must westward ho. Put your monies aside, 
my lord ; it is not well to be seen with such goldfinches chirp- 
ing about one in the lodgings of London. I think the lock of 
your casket be indifferent good; if not, I can serve you at an 
easy rate with one that has held thousands ; it was the good 
old Sir Faithful FrugaPs; his spendthrift son sold the shell 
when he had eaten the kernel — and there is the end of a city 
fortune.’’ 

“J hope yours will make a better termination. Master 
Heriot,” said the liOrd Nigel. 

“I hope it will, my lord,” said the old man, with a smile; 
^‘but,” — -to use honest John Bunyan’s phrase, “therewithal 
the water stood in his eyes,” — “it has pleased God to try me 
with the loss of two children ; and for one adopted child who 
lives — ah ! woe is me ! and well-a-day ! But I am patient and 
thankful; and for the wealth God has sent me, it shall not 
want inheritors while there are orphan lads in Auld Reekie. 
I wish you good morrow, my lord.” 

“One orphan has cause to thank you already,” said Nigel, 
as he attended him to the door of his chamber, where, resist- 
ing further escort, the old citizen made his escape. 

As, in going downstairs, he passed the shop, where Dame 
Christie stood becking, he made civil inquiries after her hus- 
band. The dame of course regretted his absence ; but “ he 
was down,” she said, “at Deptford, to settle with a Dutch 
shipmaster. ” 

“ Our way of business, sir, ” she said, “ takes him much 
from home, and my husband must be the slave of every tarry 
jacket that wants but a pound of oakum.” 

“ All business must be minded, dame, ” said the goldsmith. 
“ Make my remembrances — George Heriot of Lombard Street’s 
remembrances — to your goodman. I have dealt with him ; he 
is just and punctual, true to time and engagements. Be kind 
to your noble guest, and see he wants nothing. Though it 
be his pleasure at present to lie private and retired, there be 


86 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


those that care for him, and I have a charge to see him sup- 
plied; so that you may let me know by your husband, my 
good dame, how my lord is, and whether he wants aught. ” 

“And so he ^ a real lord, after all?” said the good dame. 
“ I am sure I always thought he looked like one. But why 
does he not go to Parliament, then?” 

“ He will, dame, ” answered Heriot, “ to the Parliament of 
Scotland, which is his own country.” 

“ Oh ! he is but a Scots lord, then, ” said the good dame ; 
“ and that’s the thing makes him ashamed to take the title, 
as they say?” 

“Let him not hear you say so, dame,” replied the citizen. 

“Who, I, sir?” answered she; “no such matter in my 
thought, sir. Scot or English, he is at any rate a likely man, 
and a civil man ; and rather than he should want anything, I 
would wait upon him myself, and come as far as Lombard 
Street to wait upon your worship, too. ” 

“Let your husband come to me, good dame,” said the 
goldsmith, who, with all his experience and worth, was some- 
what of a formalist and disciplinarian. “ Tlie proverb says, 

^ House goes mad when women gad’; and let his lordship’s 
own man wait upon his master in his chamber; it is more 
seemly. God give ye good morrow.” 

“ Good morrow to your worship, ” said the dame, somewhat 
coldly ; and, so soon as the adviser was out of hearing, was 
ungracious enough to mutter, in contempt of his counsel; 
“ Marry guep of your advice, for an old Scotch tinsmith, as 
you are! My husband is as wise, and very near as old, as 
yourself ; and if I please him, it is well enough ; and though 
he is not just so rich just now as some folks, yet I hope to 
see him ride upon his moyle, with a foot-cloth, and have his 
two blue-coats after him, as well as they do.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


87 


CHAPTER V. 

Wherefore come ye not to court ? 

Certain ’tis the rarest sport ; 

There are silks and jewels glistening, 

Prattling fools and wise men listening, 

Bullies among brave men justling, 

Beggars amongst nobles bustling, 

Low-breath’d talkers, minion lispers. 

Cutting honest throats by whispers ; 

Wherefore come ye not to court? 

Skelton swears ’tis glorious sport. 

Skelton Skeltonizeth. 

It was not entirely out of parade that the benevolent citi- 
zen was mounted and attended in that manner which, as the 
reader has been informed, excited a gentle degree of spleen 
on the part of Dame Christie, which, to do her justice, van- 
ished in the little soliloquy which we have recorded. The 
good man, besides the natural desire to maintain the exterior 
of a man of worship, was at present bound to Whitehall in 
order to exhibit a piece of valuable workmanship to King 
James, which he deemed his Majesty might be pleased to 
view, or even to purchase. He himself was therefore mount- 
ed upon his caparisoned mule, that he might the better make 
his way through the narrow, dirty, and crowded streets ; and 
while one of his attendants carried under his arm the piece of 
plate, wrapped up in red baize, the other two gave an eye to 
its safety ; for such was then the state of the police of the 
metropolis, that men were often assaulted in the public street 
for the sake of revenge or of plunder ; and those who appre- 
hended being beset usually endeavoured, if their estate ad- 
mitted such expense, to secure themselves by the attendance of 
armed followers. And this custom, which was at first limited 
to the nobility and gentry, extended by degrees to those citizens 
of consideration who, being understood to travel with a charge, 
as it was called, might otherwise have been selected as safe 
subjects of plunder by the street-robber. 

As Master George Heriot paced forth westward with this 


88 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


gallant attendance, he paused at the shop door of his country- 
man and friend, the ancient horologer, and having caused 
Tunstall, who was in attendance, to adjust his watch by the 
real time, he desired to speak with his master ; in consequence 
of which summons, the old time-meter came forth from his 
den, his face like a bronze bust, darkened with dust, and 
glistening here and there with copper filings, and his senses 
so bemused in the intensity of calculation, that he gazed on 
his friend the goldsmith for a minute before he seemed per- 
fectly to comprehend who he was, and heard him express his 
invitation to David Eamsay and pretty Mistress Margaret, his 
daughter, to dine with him next day at noon, to meet with a 
noble young countryman, without returning any answer. 

“I’ll make thee speak, with a murrain to thee,” muttered 
Heriot to himself ; and suddenly changing his tone, he said 
aloud : “ I pray you, neighbour David, when are you and I 
to have a settlement for the bullion wherewith I supplied you 
to mount yonder hall-clock at Theobald’s; and that other 
whirligig that you made for the Duke of Buckingham? I 
have had the Spanish house to satisfy for the ingots, and I 
must needs put you in mind that you have been eight months 
behindhand. ” 

There is something so sharp and aigre in the demand of a 
peremptory dun, that no human tympanum, however inacces- 
sible to other tones, can resist the application. David Ram- 
say started at once from his reverie, and answered in a pet- 
tish tone: “Wow, George, man, what needs aw this din about 
sax score o’ pounds? Aw the world kens I can answer aw 
claims on me, and you proffered yourself fair time, till his 
maist gracious Majesty and the noble Duke suld make settled 
accompts wi’ me; and ye may ken, by your ain experience, 
that I canna gang rowting like an unmannered Highland stot 
to their doors, as ye come to mine.” 

Heriot laughed, and replied : “ Well, David, I see a demand 
of money is like a bucket of water about your ears, and makes 
you a man of the world at once. And now, friend, will you 
teU me, like a Christian man, if you wiU dine with me to- 
morrow at noon, and bring pretty Mistress Margaret, my god- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 89 

daughter, with you, to meet with our noble young co\7nfc7y- 
man, the Lord of Glenvarloch?” 

“ The young Lord of Glenvarloch!” said the old mechanist; 
“ wi’ aw my heart, and blythe I will be to see him again. We 
have not met these forty years : he was twa years bofore me 
at the humanity classes; he is a sweet youth.” 

That was his father — his father — his father ! yoii old do- 
tard Dot-and-carry-One that you are,” answered the gold- 
smith. “ A sweet youth he would have been by \ his time, 
had he lived, worthy nobleman! This is his son, the Lord 
Nigel.” 

“His son!” said Ramsay. “Maybe he will want some- 
thing of a chronometer, or watch; few gallants cure to be 
without them nowadays.” 

“ He may buy half your stock-in-trade, if ever he comes to 
his own, for what I know, ” said his friend ; “ but, Davie, re- 
member your bond, and use me not as you did when my house- 
wife had the sheep’s-head and the cock-a-leeky boiling for 
you as late as two of the clock afternoon.” 

“ She had the more credit by her cookery, ” answered David, 
now fully awake : “ a sheep’s-head over-boded were poison, 
according to our saying.” 

“ Well,” answered Master George, “but as there will be no 
sheep’s-head to-morrow, it may chance you to spoil a dinner 
which a proverb cannot mend. It may be you may forgather 
with your friend. Sir Mungo Malagrowther, for I purpose to 
ask his worship ; so, be sure and bide tryste, Davie. ” 

“That will I — I will be true as a chronometer,” said 
Ramsay. 

“I will not trust you, though,” replied Heriot. “Hear 
you, Jenkin boy, tell Scots Janet to tell pretty Mistress Mar- 
garet, my god-child, she must put her father in remembrance 
to put on his best doublet to-morrow, and to bring him to 
Lombard Street at noon. Tell her they are to meet a brave 
young Scots lord.” 

Jenkin coughed that sort of dry short cough uttered by 
those who are either charged with errands which they do not 
like, or hear opinions to which they must not enter a dissent. 


90 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Umph!” repeated Master George, who, as we have al- 
ready noticed, was something of a martinet in domestic dis- 
cipline — ‘‘what does ‘umph’ mean? Will you do mine errand 
or not, sirrah ?’' 

“Sure, Master George Heriot,” said the apprentice, touch- 
ing his cap, “ I only meant, that Mistress Margaret was not 
likely to forget such an invitation.’^ 

“ Why, no, ” said Master George ; “ she is a dutiful girl to 
her godfather, though I sometimes call her a j ill-flirt. And, 
hark ye, Jenkin, you and your comrade had best come with 
your clubs, to see your master and her safely home ; but first 
shut shop, and loose the bull-dog, and let the porter stay in 
the fore-shop till your return. I will send two of my knaves 
with you ; for I hear these wild youngsters of the Temple are 
broken out worse and lighter than ever.” 

“We can keep their steel in order with good hand-bats,” 
said Jenkin, “ and never trouble your servants for the matter.” 

“ Or, if need be, ” said Tunstall, “ we have swords as well 
as the Templars.” 

“ Fie upon it — fie upon it, young man, ” said the citizen. 
“ An apprentice with a sword ! Marry, Heaven forefend ! I 
would as soon see him in a hat and feather.” 

“Well, sir,” said Jenkin, “we will find arms fitting to our 
station, and will defend our master and his daughter, if we 
should tear up the very stones of the pavement. ” 

“There spoke a London ’prentice bold!” said the citizen; 
“ and, for your comfort, my lads, you shall crush a cup of 
wine to the health of the fathers of the city. I have my eye 
on both of you : you are thriving lads, each in his own way. 
God be wi’ you, Davie. Forget not to-morrrow at noon.” 
And so saying, he again turned his mule’s head westward, 
and crossed Temple Bar at that slow and decent amble which 
at once became his rank and civic importance and put his pe- 
destrian followers to no inconvenience to keep up with him. 

At the Temple gate he again paused, dismounted, and 
sought his way into one of the small booths occupied by scriv- 
eners in the neighbourhood. A young man, with lank smooth 
hair combed straight to his ears and then cropped short, rose, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


91 


with a cringing reverence, pulled off a slouched hat, which he 
would upon no signal replace on his head, and answered, with 
much demonstration of reverence, to the goldsmith’s question 
of, ^‘How goes business, Andrew?” “Aw the better for your 
worship’s kind countenance and maintenance.” 

“ Get a large sheet of paper, man, and make a new pen, 
with a sharp neb and fine hair-stroke. Do not slit the quill 
up too high, it’s a wastrife course in your trade, Andrew : 
they that do not mind corn-pickles never come to forpits. I 
have known a learned man write a thousand pages with one 
quill.” ^ 

“Ah! sir,” said the lad, who listened to the goldsmith, 
though instructing him in his own trade, with an air of ven- 
eration and acquiescence, “how sune ony puir creature like 
mysell may rise in the world, wi’ the instruction of such a 
man as your worship!” 

“ My instructions are few, Andrew, soon told, and not hard 
to practise. Be honest — be industrious — be frugal, and you 
will soon win wealth and worship. Here, copy me this sup- 
plication in your best and most formal hand. I will wait by 
you till it is done.” 

The youth lifted not his eye from the paper, and laid not 
the pen from his hand, until the task was finished to his em- 
ployer’s satisfaction. The citizen then gave the young scriv- 
ener an angel j and bidding him, on his life, be secret in all 
business entrusted to him, again mounted his mule, and rode 
on westward along the Strand. 

It may be worth while to remind our readers that the Tem- 
ple Bar which Heriot passed was not the arched screen, or 
gateway, of the present day ; but an open railing, or palisade, 
which, at night and in times of alarm, was closed with a barri- 
cade of posts and chains. The Strand also, along which he 
rode, was not, as now, a continued street, although it was be- 
ginning already to assume that character. It still might be 
considered as an open road, along the south side of which stood 
various houses and hotels belonging to the nobility, having 
gardens behind them down to the water-side, with stairs to 
1 See Gill’s Commentary. Note 9. 


92 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


the river, for the convenience of taking boat ; which mansions 
have bequeathed the names of their lordly owners to many 
of the streets leading from the Strand to the Thames. The 
north side of the Strand was also a long line of houses, behind 
which, as in St. Martinis Lane and other points, buildings 
were rapidly arising; but Covent Garden was still a garden, 
in the literal sense of the word, or at least but beginning to 
be studded with irregular buildings. All that was passing 
around, however, marked the rapid increase of a capital which 
had long enjoyed peace, wealth, and a regular government. 
Houses were rising in every direction ; and the shrewd eye of 
our citizen already saw the period not distant which should 
convert the nearly open highway on which he travelled into a 
connected and regular street, uniting the court and the town 
with the city of London. 

He next passed Charing Cross, which was no longer the 
pleasant solitary village at which the judges were wont to 
breakfast on their way to Westminster Hall, but began to re- 
semble the artery through which, to use Johnson’s expression, 
‘‘pours the full tide of London population.” The buildings 
were rapidly increasing, yet certainly gave not even a faint 
idea of its present appearance. 

At last Whitehall ‘ received our traveller, who passed under 
one of the beautiful gates designed by Holbein, and composed 
of tesselated brickwork, being the same to which Moniplies 
had profanely likened the West Port of Edinburgh, and en- 
tered the ample precincts of the palace of Whitehall, now full 
of all the confusion attending improvement. 

It was just at the time when James— little suspecting that 
he was employed in constructing a palace from the window of 
which his only son was to pass in order that he might die 
upon a scaffold before it — was busied in removing the ancient 
and ruinous buildings of De Burgh, Henry VIII., and Queen 
Elizabeth, to make way for the superb architecture on which 
Inigo Jones exerted all his genius. The King, ignorant of 
futurity, was now engaged in pressing on his work ; and, for 
that purpose, still maintained his royal apartments at White- 
Sea Not© 10. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


93 


hall, amidst the rubbish of old buildings, and the various con- 
fusion attending the erection of the new pile, which formed 
at present a labyrinth not easily traversed. 

The goldsmith to the royal household, and who, if fame 
spoke true, oftentimes acted as their banker — for these pro- 
fessions were not as yet separated from each other — was a 
person of too much importance to receive the slightest inter- 
ruption from sentinel or porter; and, leaving his mule and 
two of his followers in the outer court, he gently knocked at 
a postern gate of the building, and was presently admitted, 
while the most trusty of his attendants followed him closely, 
with the piece of plate under his arm. This man also he left 
behind him in an ante-room, where three or four pages in the 
royal livery, but untrussed, unbuttoned, and dressed more 
carelessly than the place and nearness to a king’s person 
seemed to admit, were playing at dice and draughts, or 
stretched upon benches and slumbering with half-shut eyes. 
A corresponding gallery, which opened from the ante- room, 
was occupied by two gentlemen-ushers of the chamber, who 
gave each a smile of recognition as the wealthy goldsmith 
entered. 

No word was spoken on either side ; but one of the ushers 
looked first to Heriot and then to a little door half-covered by 
the tapestry, which seemed to say, as plain as a look could : 
“Lies your business that way?” The citizen nodded; and 
the court attendant, moving on tiptoe, and with as much cau- 
tion as if the floor had been paved with eggs, advanced to the 
door, opened it gently, and spoke a few words in a low tone. 
The broad Scottish accent of King James was heard in reply: 
“ Admit him instanter. Maxwell. Have you hairboured sae 
lang at the court, and not learned that gold and silver are ever 
welcome?” 

The usher signed to Heriot to advance, and the honest citi- 
zen was presently introduced into the cabinet of the sovereign. 

The scene of confusion amid which he found the King 
seated was no bad picture of the state and quality of James’s 
own mind. There was much that was rich and costly in cab- 
inet pictures and valuable ornaments ; but they were arranged 


94 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


in a slovenly manner, covered with dust, and lost half their 
value, or at least their effect, from the manner in which they 
were presented to the eye. The table was loaded with huge 
folios, amongst which lay light books of jest and ribaldry ; 
and amongst notes of unmercifully long orations and essays 
on kingcraft were mingled miserable roundels and ballads by 
the Royal ’Prentice, as he styled himself, in the art of poetry, 
and schemes for the general pacification of Europe, with a list 
of the names of the King’s hounds, and remedies against 
canine madness. 

His Majesty’s dress was of green velvet, quilted so full as 
to be dagger-proof, which gave him the appearance of clumsy 
and ungainly protuberance; while its being buttoned awry 
communicated to his figure an air of distortion. Over his 
green doublet he wore a sad-coloured nightgown, out of the 
pocket of which peeped his hunting-horn. His high-crowned 
grey hat lay on the floor, covered with dust, but encircled by 
a carcanet of large balas rubies ; and he wore a blue velvet 
nightcap, in the front of which was placed the plume of a 
heron, which had been struck down by a favourite hawk in 
some critical moment of the flight, in remembrance of which 
the King wore this highly honoured feather. 

But such inconsistencies in dress and appointments were 
mere outward types of those which existed in the royal char- 
acter; rendering it a subject of doubt amongst his contempo- 
raries, and bequeathing it as a problem to future historians. 
He was deeply learned, without possessing useful knowledge ; 
sagacious in many individual cases, without having real wis- 
dom ; fond of his power, and desirous to maintain and aug- 
ment it, yet willing to resign the direction of that, and of 
himself, to the most unworthy favourites ; a big and bold as- 
sertor of his rights in words, yet one who tamely saw them 
trampled on in deeds; a lover of negotiations, in which he 
was always outwitted ; and one who feared war, where con- 
quest might have been easy. He was fond of his dignity, 
while he was perpetually degrading it by undue familiarity ; 
capable of much public labour, yet often neglecting it for the 
meanest amusement ; a wit, though a pedant ; and a scholar, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


95 


though fond of the conversation of the ignorant and unedu- 
cated. Even his timidity of temper was not uniform; and 
there were moments of his life, and those critical, in which 
he showed the spirit of his ancestors. He was laborious in 
trifles, and a trifler where serious labour was required; de- 
vout in his sentiments, and yet too often profane in his lan- 
guage ; just and beneficent by nature, he yet gave way to the 
iniquities and oppression of others. He was penurious re- 
specting money which he had to give from his own hand, yet 
inconsiderately and unboundedly profuse of that which he did 
not see. In a word, those good qualities which displayed 
themselves in particular cases and occasions were not of a na- 
ture sufficiently firm and comprehensive to regulate his general 
conduct; and, showing themselves as they occasionally did, 
only entitled James to the character bestowed on him by Sully : 
that he was the wisest fool in Christendom. 

That the fortunes of this monarch might be as little of 
a piece as his character, he, certainly the least able of the 
Stuarts, succeeded peaceably to that kingdom against the 
power of which his predecessors had, with so much difficulty, 
defended his native throne; and, lastly, although his reign 
appeared calculated to ensure to Great Britain that lasting 
tranqufility and internal peace which so much suited the King’s 
disposition, yet, during that very reign were sown those seeds 
of dissension which, like the teeth of the fabulous dragon, 
had their harvest in a bloody and universal civil war. * 

Such was the monarch who, saluting Heriot by the name of 
Jingling Geordie, for it was his well-known custom to give 
nicknames to all those with whom he was on terms of famil- 
iarity, inquired : “ What new clatter-traps he had brought with 
him, to cheat his lawful and native prince out of his siller.” 

‘^God forbid, my liege,” said the citizen, “that I should 
have any such disloyal purpose. I did but bring a piece of 
plate to show to your most gracious Majesty, which, both for 
the subject and for the workmanship, I were loth to put into 
the hands of any subject until I knew your Majesty’s pleasure 
anent it.” 


* See King James. Note 11. 


96 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Body o’ me, man, let’s see it, Heriot; though, by my 
saul, Steenie’s service o’ plate was sae dear a bargain, I had 
’maist pawned my word as a royal king to keep my ain gold 
and silver in future, and let you, Geordie, keep yours.” 

“Respecting the Duke of Buckingham’s plate,” said the 
goldsmith, “ your Majesty was pleased to direct that no ex- 
pense should be spared, and ” 

“ What signifies what I desired, man? when a wise man is 
with fules and bairns, he maun e’en play at the chucks. But 
you should have had mair sense and consideration than to gie 
Baby Charles and Steenie their am gate j they wad hae floored 
the very rooms wi’ silver, and I wonder they didna.” 

George Heriot bowed, and said no more. He knew his 
master too well to vindicate himself otherwise than by a dis- 
tant allusion to his order; and James, with whom economy 
was only a transient and momentary twinge of conscience, be- 
came immediately afterwards desirous to see the piece of plate 
which the goldsmith proposed to exhibit, and despatched Max- 
well to bring it to his presence. In the mean time he demanded 
of the citizen whence he had procured it. 

“From Italy, may it please your Majesty,” replied Heriot. 

“It has naething in it tending to Papistrie?” said the 
King, looking graver than his wont. 

“Surely not, please your Majesty,” said Heriot; “I were 
not wise to bring anything to your presence that had the mark 
of the beast.” 

“ You would be the mair beast yourself to do so, ” said the 
King; “it is weel kenn’d that I wrestled wi’ Dagon in my 
youth, and smote him on the groundsill of his own temple — a 
gude evidence that I should be in time called, hov/ever 
unworthy, the Defender of the Faith. But here comes 
Maxwell, bending under his burden, like the golden ass of 
Apuleius.” 

Heriot hastened to relieve the usher, and to place the em- 
bossed salver, for such it was, and of extraordinary dimen- 
sions, in a light favourable for his Majesty’s viewing the 
sculpture. 

“ Saul of my body, man, ” said the King, “ it is a curious 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


97 


piece, and, as I think, fit for a king’s chalmer; and the sub- 
ject, as you say, Master George, vera adequate and beseem- 
ing, being, as I see, the judgment of Solomon — a prince in 
whose paths it weel becomes a’ leeviug monarchs to walk with 
emulation.” 

But whose footsteps, ” said Maxwell, “ only one of them — 
if a subject may say so much — hath ever overtaken.” 

“Haud your tongue for a fause fleeching loon!” said the 
King, but with a smile on his face that showed the flattery 
had done its part. Look at the bonny piece of workman- 
ship, and hand your clavering tongue. And whase handiwork 
may it be, Geordie?” 

“ It was wrought, sir, ” replied the goldsmith, “ by the fa- 
mous Florentine, Benvenuto Cellini, and designed for Francis 
the First of France ; but I hope it will find a fitter master. ” 

“Francis of France!” said the King; “send Solomon, king 
of the Jews, to Francis of France! Body of me, man, it would 
have kythed Cellini mad, had he never done ony thing else 
out of the gate. Francis ! why, he was a fighting fule, man 
— a mere fighting fule; got himsell ta’en at Pavia, like our 
ain David at Durham lang syne; if they could hae sent him 
Solomon’s wit, and love of peace, and godliness, they wad 
hae dune him a better turn. But Solomon should sit in other 
gate company than Francis of France.” 

“ I trust that such will be his good fortune, ” said Heriot. 

“It is a curious and vera artificial sculpture,” said the 
King, in continuation; “but yet, methinks, the carnifex, or 
executioner, there is brandishing his gulley ower near the 
king’s face, seeing he is within reach of his weapon. I think 
less wisdom than Solomon’s wad have taught him that there 
was danger in edge-tools, and that he wad have bidden the 
smaik either sheath his shabble or stand farther back.” 

George Heriot endeavoured to alleviate this objection by 
assuring the King that the vicinity betwixt Solomon and the 
executioner was nearer in appearance than in reality, and that 
the perspective should be allowed for. 

“Gang to the deil wi’ your prospective, man,” said the 
King ; “ there canna be a waur prospective for a lawfu’ king, 
7 


98 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


wha wishes to reign in luve, and die in peace and honour, 
than to have naked swords flashing in his een. I am accounted 
as brave as maist folks ; and yet I profess to ye I could never 
look on a bare blade without blinking and winking. But a’the- 
gither it is a brave piece; and what is the price of it, man?’’ 

The goldsmith replied by observing that it was not his own 
property, but that of a distressed countryman. 

“ Whilk you mean to mak your excuse for asking the double 
of its worth, I warrant?” answered the King. “ I ken the 
tricks of your burrows-town merchants, man.” 

“I have no hopes of baffling your Majesty’s sagacity,” said 
Heriot ; “ the piece is really what I say, and the price a hun- 
dred and fifty pounds sterling, if it pleases your Majesty to 
make present payment.” 

“ A hundred and fifty punds, man ! and as mony witches 
and warlocks to raise them!” said the irritated monarch. 
“ My saul, Jingling Geordie, ye are minded that your purse 
shall jingle to a bonny tune! How am I to tell you down a 
hundred and fifty punds for what will not weigh as many 
merks? and ye ken that my very household servitors, and the 
officers of my mouth, are sax months in arrear!” 

The goldsmith stood his ground against all this objurgation, 
being what he was well accustomed to, and only answered, 
that if his Majesty liked the piece, and desired to possess it, 
the price could be easily settled. It was true that the party 
required the money, but he, George Heriot, would advance it 
on his Majesty’s account, if such were his pleasure, and wait 
his royal conveniency for payment, for that and other mat- 
ters ; the money, meanwhile, lying at the ordinary usage. 

“By my honour,” said James, “and that is speaking like 
an honest and reasonable tradesman. We maun get another 
subsidy frae the Commons, and that will make ae compting of 
it. Awa’ wi’ it. Maxwell — awa’ wi’ it, and let it be set where 
Steenie and Baby Charles shall see it as they return from 
Richmond. And now that we are secret, my good auld friend 
Geordie, I do truly opine that, speaking of Solomon and our- 
selves, the haill wisdom in the country left Scotland when we 
took our travels to the Southland here. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


99 


George Heriot was courtier enough to say, that “ The wise 
naturally follow the wisest, as stags follow their leader.” 

“Troth, I think there is something in what thou sayest,” 
said J ames ; “ for we ourselves, and those of our court and 
household, as thou thyself, for example, are allowed by the 
English, for as self-opinioned as they are, to pass for reason- 
able good wits ; but the brains of those we have left behind 
are all astir, and run clean hirdie-girdie, like sae mony war- 
locks and witches on the DeviPs Sabbath-e’en.” 

“ I am sorry to hear this, my liege, ” said Heriot. “ May 
it please your Grace to say what our countrymen have done 
to deserve such a character?” 

“They are become frantic, man — clean brain-crazed,” an- 
swered the King. “ I cannot keep them out of the court by 
all the proclamations that the heralds roar themselves hoarse 
with. Yesterday, nae farther gane, just as we were mounted 
and about to ride forth, in rushed a thorough Edinburgh gut- 
ter-blood — a ragged rascal, every dud upon whose back was 
bidding good day to the other, with a coat and hat that would 
have served a pease-bogle, and, without havings or reverence, 
thrusts into our hands, like a sturdy beggar, some supplica- 
tion about debts owing by our gracious mother, and sic-like 
trash; whereat the horse spangs on end, and, but for our ad- 
mirable sitting, wherein we have been thought to excel maist 
sovereign princes, as well as subjects, in Europe, I promise 
you we would have been laid endlang on the causeway.” 

“Your Majesty,” said Heriot, “is their common father, 
and therefore they are the bolder to press into your gracious 
presence. ” 

“I ken I 2im pater patrice well enough,” said James; “but 
one would think they had a mind to squeeze my puddings out, 
that they may divide the inheritance. Ud’s death, Geordie, 
there is not a loon among them can deliver a supplication as 
it suld be done in the face of majesty.” 

“ I would I knew the most fitting and beseeming mode to 
do so,” said Heriot, “were it but to instruct our poor coun- 
trymen in better fashions.” 

“ By my halidome, ” said the King, “ ye are a ceevileezed 


100 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


fellow, Geordie, and I carena if I fling awa’ as much time as 
may teach ye. And, first, see you, sir, ye shall approach the 
presence of majesty thus — shadowing your eyes with your 
hand, to testify that you are in the presence of the vicegerent 
of Heaven. Vera weel, George, that is done in a comely 
manner. Then, sir, ye sail kneel, and make as if ye would 
kiss the hem of our garment, the latch of our shoe, or such- 
like. Very weel enacted. Whilk we, as being willing to be 
debonair and pleasing towards our lieges, prevent thus — and 
motion to you to rise; whilk, having a boon to ask, as yet 
you obey not, but, gliding your hand into your pouch, bring 
forth your supplication, and place it reverentially in our open 
palm. ” The goldsmith, who had complied with great accuracy 
with all the prescribed points of the ceremonial, here com- 
pleted it, to James’s no small astonishment, by placing in his 
hand the petition of the Lord of Glenvarloch. What means 
this, ye fause loon?” said he, reddening and sputtering; ‘‘hae 
I been teaching you the manual exercise, that ye suld present 
your piece at our ain royal body? Now, by this light, I had 
as lief that ye had bended a real pistolet against me, and yet 
this hae ye done in my very cabinet, where nought suld enter 
but at my ain pleasure. ” 

“I trust your Majesty,” said Heriot, as he continued to 
kneel, ^‘will forgive my exercising the lesson you conde- 
scended to give me in behalf of a friend?” 

‘‘Of a friend!” said the King, “so much the waur — so 
much the waur, I tell you. If it had been something to do 
yoursell good there would have been some sense in it, and 
some chance that you wad not have come back on me in a 
hurry; but a man may have a hundred friends, and petitions 
for every ane of them, ilk ane after other.” 

“ Your Majesty, I trust,” said Heriot, “ will judge me by for- 
mer experience, and will not suspect me of such presumption.” 

“I kenna,” said the placable monarch; “the world goes 
daft, I think — sed semel insanivimus omnes — thou art my 
old and faithful servant, that is the truth ; and, were’t any- 
thing for thy own behoof, man, thou shouldst n6t ask twice. 
But, troth, Steenie loves me so dearly that he cares not that 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


101 


any one should ask favours of me but himself. Maxwell (for 
the usher had re-entered after having carried off the plate), 
get into the ante-chamber wi’ your lang lugs. In conscience, 
Geordie, I think as that thou hast been mine ain auld fidu- 
ciary, and wert my goldsmith when I might say with the ethnic 
poet. Non med renidet in domo lacunar ; for, faith, they had 
pillaged my mither’s auld house sae that beechen bickers, and 
treen trenchers, and latten platters were whiles the best at our 
board, and glad we were of something to put on them, without 
quarrelling with the metal of the dishes. D’ye mind, for thou 
wert in maist of our complots, how we were fain to send sax 
of the Blue-banders to harry the Lady of Loganhouse’s dow- 
cot and poultry-yard, and what an awfu’ plaint the poor dame 
made against J ock of Milch and the thieves of Annandale, wha 
were as sackless of the deed as I am of the sin of murder?” 

“It was the better for Jock,” said Heriot; “for, if I re- 
member weel, it saved him from a strapping up at Dumfries, 
which he had weel deserved for other misdeeds.” 

“Ay, man, mind ye that?” said the King; “but he had 
other virtues, for he was a tight huntsman, moreover, that 
Jock of Milch, and could halloo to a hound till all the woods 
rang again. But he came to an Annandale end at the last, 
for Lord Torthorwald run his lance out through him. Cocks- 
nails, man, when I think of these wild passages, in my con- 
science, I am not sure but we lived merrier in auld Holyrood 
in those shifting days than now when we are dwelling at heck 
and manger. Cantabit vacuus : we had but little to care for.” 

“And if your Majesty please to remember,” said the gold- 
smith, “ the awful task we had to gather silver vessail and 
gold-work enough to make some show before the Spanish 
ambassador. ” 

“Vera true,” said the King, now in a full tide of gossip, 
“ and I mind not the name of the right leal lord that helped 
us with every unce he had in his house, that his native prince 
might have some credit in the eyes of them that had the 
Indies at their beck.” 

“ I think, if your Majesty,” said the citizen, “ will cast your 
eye on the paper in your hand, you wiU recollect his name.” 


102 


WAVEllLEY NOVELS. 


“Ay?” said the King, “say ye sae, man? Lord Glenvai- 
loch, that was his name indeed. Justus et tenax propositi,— 
a just man, but as obstinate as a baited bull. He stood whiles 
against us, that Lord Kandal [Ochtred] Olifaunt of Glenvar- 
loch, but he was a loving and a leal subject in the main. 
But this supplicator maun be his son — Randal has been long 
gone where king and lord must go, Geordie, as weel as the 
like of you — and what does his son want with us?” 

“The settlement,” answered the citizen, “of a large debt 
due by your Majesty’s treasury, for money advanced to your 
Majesty in great state emergency, about the time of the Raid 
of Ruthven.” 

“I mind the thing weel,” said King James. Od’s death, 
man, I was just out of the clutches of the Master of Glamis 
and his complices, and there was never siller mair welcome 
to a born prince — the mair the shame and pity that crowned 
king should need sic a petty sum. But what need he dun us 
for it, man, like a baxter at the breaking? We aught him 
the siller, and will pay him wi’ our convenience, or make it 
otherwise up to him, whilk is enow between prince and sub- 
ject. We are not in meditatione fugce, man, to be arrested 
thus peremptorily.” 

“Alas! an it please your Majesty,” said the goldsmith, 
shaking his head, “it is the poor young nobleman’s extreme 
necessity, and not his will, that makes him importunate ; for 
he must have money, and that briefly, to discharge a debt due 
to Peregrine Peterson, Conservator of the Privileges at Camp- 
vere, or his haill hereditary barony and estate of Glenvaiioch 
will be evicted in virtue of an unredeemed wadset.” 

“How say ye, man — how say ye?” exclaimed the King, 
impatiently ; “ the carle of a conservator, the son of a Low- 
Dutch skipper, evict the auld estate and lordship of the house 
of Olifaunt? God’s bread, man, that maun not be: we maun 
suspend the diligence by writ of favour or otherwise. ” 

“ I doubt that may hardly be, ” answered the citizen, “ if it 
please your Majesty; your learned counsel in the law of Scot- 
land advise that there is no remeid but in paying the money. ” 

“Ud’s fish,” said the King, “let him keep hand by the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


103 


strong hand against the carle, until we can take some order 
about his affairs.” 

“Alas!” insisted the goldsmith, “if it like your Majesty, 
your own pacific government, and your doing of equal justice 
to all men, has made main force a kittle line to walk by, un- 
less just within the bounds of the Highlands.” 

“Weel — weel — weel, man,” said the perplexed monarch, 
whose ideas of justice, expedience, and convenience became 
on such occasions strangely embroiled; “just it is we should 
pay our debt, that the young man may pay his ; and he must 
be paid, and in verho regis he shall be paid; but how to come 
by the siller, man, is a difficult chapter. Ye maun try the 
city, Geordie.” 

“ To say the truth, ” answered Heriot, “ please your gracious 
Majesty, what betwixt loans, and benevolences, and subsi- 
dies, the city is at this present ” 

“ Dinna tell me of what the city is, ” said King James ; “ our 
exchequer is as dry as Dean Gileses discourses on the peniten- 
tiary psalms. Ex nihilo nihil fit : iUs ill taking the breeks aff 
a wild Highlandman. They that come to me for siller should 
tell me how to come by it. The city ye maun try, Heriot ; 
and dinna think to be called Jingling Geordie for nithiog; 
and in verho regis I will pay the lad if you get me the loan, 
I wonnot haggle on the terms ; and, between you and me, 
Geordie, we will redeem the brave auld estate of Glenvarloch. 
But wherefore comes not the young lord to court, Heriot? 
Is he comely — is he presentable in the presence?” 

“ No one can be more so, ” said George Heriot ; “ but ” 

“Ay, I understand ye,” said his Majesty — “I understand 
ye — res angusta domi — puir lad — puir lad! and his father a 
right true leal Scots heart, though stiff in some opinions. 
Hark jq, Heriot, let the lad have twa hundred pounds to fit 
him out. And, here — here (taking the carcanet of rubies from 
his old hat) — ye have had these in pledge before for a larger 
sum, ye auld Levite that ye are. Keep them in gage, till I gie 
ye back the siller out of the next subsidy. ” 

“If it please your Majesty to give me such directions in 
writing, ” said the cautious citizen. 


104 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ The deil is in your nicety, George, said the King ; “ ye 
are as preceese as a Puritan in form, and a mere Nullifidian 
in the marrow of the matter. May not a king’s word servo 
you for advancing your pitiful twa hundred pounds?” 

“But not for detaining the crown jewels,” said George 
Heriot. 

And the King, who from long experience was inured to 
dealing with suspicious creditors, wrote an order upon George 
Heriot, his well- beloved goldsmith and jeweller, for the sum 
of two hundred pounds, to be paid presently to Nigel Olifaunt, 
Lord of Glenvaiioch, to be imputed as so much debts due to 
him by the crown ; and authorising the retention of a carcanet 
of balas rubies, with a great diamond, as described in a cata- 
logue of his Majesty’s jewels, to remain in possession of the 
said George Heriot, advancer of the said sum, and so forth, 
until he was lawfully contented and paid thereof. By an- 
other rescript, his Majesty gave the said George Heriot di- 
rections to deal with some of the monied men, upon equitable 
terms, for a sum of money for his Majesty’s present use, not 
to be under 50,000 merks, but as much more as could conve- 
niently be procured. 

“And has he ony lair, this Lord Nigel of ours?” said the 
King. 

George Heriot could not exactly answer this question ; but 
believed “ the young lord had studied abroad. ” 

“ He shall have our own advice, ” said the King, “ how to 
carry on his studies to maist advantage ; and it may be we 
will have him come to court, and study with Steenie and 
Baby Charles. And, now we think on’t, away — away, George ; 
for the bairns will be coming hame presently, and we would 
not as yet they kenn’d of this matter we have been treating 
anent. Propera pedem, 0 Geordie. Clap your mule between 
your houghs, and god-den with you.” 

Thus ended the conference betwixt the gentle King Jamie 
and his benevolent jeweller and goldsmith. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


105 


CHAPTER VI. 

Oh, I do know him : tis the mouldy lemon 
Which our court wits will wet their lips withal, 

When they would sauce their honied conversation 
With somewhat sharper flavour. Marry, sir, 

That virtue’s wellnigh left him : all the juice 
That was so sharp and poignant is squeezed out ; 

While the poor ' ind, although as sour as ever. 

Must season soon the draff we give our grunters, 

For two-legg’d things are weary on’t. 

The Chamberlain, a Comedy. 

The good company invited by the hospitable citizen assem- 
bled at his house in Lombard Street at the “ hollow and hungry 
hour’’ of noon, to partake of that meal which divides the day ; 
being about the time when modern persons of fashion, turning 
themselves upon their pillow, begin to think, not without a 
great many doubts and much hesitation, that they will by and 
by commence it. Thither came the young Nigel, arrayed 
plainly, but in a dress, nevertheless, more suitable to his age 
and quality than he had formerly worn, accompanied by his 
servant Moniplies, whose outside also was considerably im- 
proved. His solemn and stern features glared forth from 
under a blue velvet bonnet, fantastically placed sideways on 
his headj he had a sound and tough coat of English blue 
broadcloth, which, unlike his former vestment, would have 
stood the tug of all the apprentices in Fleet Street. The 
buckler and broadsword he wore as the arms of his condition, 
and a neat silver badge, bearing his lord’s arms, announced 
that he was an appendage of aristocracy. He sat down in 
the good citizen’s buttery, not a little pleased to find his at- 
tendance upon the table in the hall was likely to be rewarded 
with his share of a meal such as he had seldom partaken of. 

Mr. David Ramsay, that profound and ingenious mechanic, 
was safely conducted to Lombard Street, according to promise, 
well washed, brushed, and cleaned from the soot of the fur- 
nace and the forge. His daughter, who came with him, was 
about twenty years old, very pretty, very demure, yet with 


106 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


lively black eyes, that ever and anon contradicted the expres- 
sion of sobriety to which silence, reserve, a plain velvet hood, 
and a cambric ruff had condemned Mistress Marget, as the 
daughter of a quiet citizen. 

There were also two citizens and merchants of London, men 
ample in cloak and many-linked golden chain, well to pass in 
the world, and experienced in their craft of merchandise, but 
who require no particular description. There was an elderly 
clergyman also, in his gown and cassock, a decent venerable 
man, partaking in his manners of the plainness of the citizens 
amongst whom he had his cure. 

These may be dismissed with brief notice ; but not so Sir 
Mungo Malagrowther, of Girnigo Castle, who claims a little 
more attention, as an original character of the time in which 
he flourished. 

That good knight knocked at Master Heriot’s door just as 
the clock began to strike twelve, and was seated in his chair 
ere the last stroke had chimed. This gave the knight an ex- 
cellent opportunity of making sarcastic observations on all 
who came later than himself, not to mention a few rubs at the 
expense of those who had been so superfluous as to appear 
earlier. 

Having little or no property save his bare designation. Sir 
Mungo had been early attached to court in the capacity of 
whipping-boy, as the office was then called, to King James 
the Sixth, and, with his Majesty, trained to all polite learn- 
ing by his celebrated preceptor, George Buchanan. The 
office of whipping-boy doomed its unfortunate occupant to un- 
dergo all the corporeal punishment which the Lord’s anointed, 
whose proper person was of course sacred, might chance to 
incur in the course of travelling through his grammar and 
prosody. Under the stern rule, indeed, of George Buchanan, 
who did not approve of the vicarious mode of punishment, 
James bore the penance of his own faults, and Mungo Mala- 
growther enjoyed a sinecure; but James’s other pedagogue. 
Master Peter Young, went more ceremoniously to work, and 
appalled the very soul of the youthful King by the floggings 
which he bestowed on the whipping-boy, when the royal 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


107 


task was not suitably performed. And be it told to Sir 
Mungo’s praise, that there were points about him in the high- 
est respect suited to his official situation. He had even in 
youth a naturally irregular and grotesque set of features, 
which, when distorted by fear, pain, and anger, looked like 
one of the whimsical faces which present themselves in a 
Gothic cornice. His voice also was high-pitched and querulous, 
so that, when smarting under Master Peter Young’s unsparing 
inflictions, the expression of his grotesque physiognomy, and 
the superhuman yells which he uttered, were well suited to 
produce all the effects on the monarch who deserved the lash 
that could possibly be produced by seeing another and an in- 
nocent individual suffering for his delict. 

Sir Mungo Malagrowther, for such he became, thus got an 
early footing at court, which another would have improved 
and maintained. But, when he grew too big to be whipped, 
he had no other means of rendei-iiig himself acceptable. A 
bitter, caustic, and backbiting humour, a malicious wit, and 
an envy of others more prosperous than the possessor of such 
amiable qualities, have not, indeed, always been found ob- 
stacles to a courtier’s rise; but then they must be amalgamated 
with a degree of selfish cunning and prudence of which Sir 
Mungo had no share. His satire ran riot, his envy could not 
conceal itself, and it was not long after his majority till he 
had as many quarrels upon his hands as would have required 
a cat’s nine lives to answer. In one of these rencontres he 
received, perhaps we should say fortunately, a wound which 
served him as an excuse for answering no invitations of the 
kind in future. Sir Bullion Battray of Banagullion cut off, 
in mortal combat, three of the fingers of his right hand, so 
that Sir Mungo never could hold sword again. At a later 
period, having written some satirical verses upon the Lady 
Cockpen, he received so severe a chastisement from some per- 
sons employed for the purpose, that he was found half dead 
on the spot where they had thus dealt with him, and one of 
his thighs having been broken, and ill set, gave him a hitch in 
his gait, with which he hobbled to his grave. The lameness 
of his leg and hand, besides that they added considerably 


108 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


to the grotesque appearance of this original, procured him in 
future a personal immunity from the more dangerous conse- 
quences of his own humour ; and he gradually grew old in the 
service of the court, in safety of life and limb, though with- 
out either making friends or attaining preferment. Some- 
times, indeed, the King was amused with his caustic sallies, 
but he had never art enough to improve the favourable op- 
portunity; and his enemies, who were, for that matter, the 
whole court, always found means to throw him out of favour 
again. The celebrated Archie Armstrong offered Sir Mungo, 
in his generosity, a skirt of his own fooPs coat, proposing 
thereby to communicate to him the privileges and immunities 
of a professed jester. ‘^For,^’ said the man of motley, “Sir 
Mungo, as he goes on just now, gets no more for a good jest 
than just the King’s pardon for having made it.” 

Even in London, the golden shower which fell around him 
did not moisten the blighted fortunes of Sir Mungo Mala- 
growther. He grew old, deaf, and peevish; lost even the 
spirit which had formerly animated his strictures ; and was 
barely endured by James, who, though himself nearly as far 
stricken in years, retained, to an unusual and even an absurd 
degree, the desire to be surrounded by young people. 

Sir Mungo, thus fallen into the yellow leaf of years and 
fortune, showed his emaciated form and faded embroidery at 
court as seldom as his duty permitted; and spent his time in 
indulging his food for satire in the public walks and in the 
aisles of St. Paul’s, which were then the general resort of 
newsmongers and characters of all descriptions, associating 
himself chiefly with such of his countrymen as he accounted 
of inferior birth and rank to himself. In this manner, hating 
and contemning commerce and those who pursued it, he never- 
theless lived a good deal among the Scottish artists and mer- 
chants who had followed the court to London. To these he 
could show his cynicism without much offence ; for some sub- 
mitted to his jeers and ill-humour in deference to his birth 
and knighthood, which in those days conferred high privi- 
leges ; and others, of more sense, pitied and endured the old 
man, unhappy alike in his fortunes and his temper. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


109 


Amongst the latter was George Heriot, who, though his 
habits and education induced him to carry aristocratical feel- 
ings to a degree which would now be thought extravagant, had 
too much spirit and good sense to permit himself to be intruded 
upon to an unauthorised excess, or used with the slightest im- 
proper freedom, by such a person as Sir Mungo^ to whom he 
was, nevertheless, not only respectfully civil, but essentially 
kind, and even generous. 

Accordingly, this appeared from the manner in which Sir 
Mungo Malagrowther conducted himseK upon entering the 
apartment. He paid his respects to Master Heriot, and a de- 
cent, elderly, somewhat severe -looking female, in a coif, who, 
by the name of Aunt Judith, did the honours of his house and 
table, with little or no portion of the supercilious acidity which 
his singular physiognomy assumed when he made his bow suc- 
cessively to David Ramsay and the two sober citizens. He 
thrust himself into the conversation of the latter, to observe 
he had heard in Paul’s that the bankrupt concern of Pin- 
divide, a great merchant, ‘‘who,” as he expressed it, “had 
given the crows a pudding,” and on whom he knew, from the 
same authority, each of the honest citizens had some unsettled 
claim, was like to prove a total loss — “ stock and block, ship 
and cargo, keel and rigging, all lost, now and for ever.” 

The two citizens grinned at each other ; but, too prudent to 
make their private affairs the subject of public discussion, 
drew their heads together, and evaded farther conversation 
by speaking in a whisper. 

The old Scots knight next attacked the watchmaker with 
the same disrespectful familiarity. “Davie,” he said — 
“Davie, ye donnard auld idiot, have ye no gane mad yet, 
with applying your mathematical science, as ye call it, to the 
Book of Apocalypse? I expected to have heard ye make out 
the sign of the beast as clear as a tout on a bawbee whistle.” 

“Why, Sir Mungo,” said the mechanist, after making an 
effort to recall to his recollection what had been said to him 
and by whom, “ it may be that ye are nearer the mark than 
ye are yoursell aware of; for, taking the ten horns o’ the 
beast, ye may easily estimate by your digitals ” 


110 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


‘‘ My digits ! you d — d auld, rusty, good-for-uothing time- 
piece!” exclaimed Sir Mungo, while, betwixt jest and ear- 
nest, he laid on his hilt his hand, or rather his claw, for Sir 
Rullion’s broadsword had abridged it into that form. “ D’ye 
mean to upbraid me with my mutilation?” 

Master Heriot interfered. I cannot persuade our friend 
David, ” he said, “ that Scriptural prophecies are intended to 
remain in obscurity until their unexpected accomplishment 
shall make, as in former days, that fulfilled which was writ- 
ten. But you must not exert your knightly valour on him 
for all that.” 

‘‘ By my saul, and it would be throwing it away, ” said Sir 
Mungo, laughing. “ I would as soon set out, with hound and 
horn, to hunt a sturdied sheep ; for he is in a doze again, and 
up to the chin in numerals, quotients, and dividends. Mis- 
tress Margaret, my pretty honey, ” for the beauty of the young 
citizen made even Sir Mungo Malagrowther’s grim features 
relax themselves a little, “ is your father always as entertain- 
ing as he seems just now?” 

Mistress Margaret simpered, bridled, looked to either side, 
then straight before her; and, having assumed all the airs of 
bashful embarrassment and timidity which were necessary, as 
she thought, to cover a certain shrewd readiness which really 
belonged to her character, at length replied, That indeed her 
father was very thoughtful, but she had heard that he took the 
habit of mind from her grandfather.” 

“Your grandfather!” said Sir Mungo, after doubting if he 
had heard her aright. “ Said she her grandfather ! The 
lassie is distraught ! I ken nae wench on this side of Temple 
Bar that is derived from so distant a relation. ” 

“ She has got a godfather, however. Sir Mungo, ” said George 
Heriot, again interfering; “ and I hope you will allow him in- 
terest enough with you to request you will not put his pretty 
god-child to so deep a blush.” 

“ The better — the better, ” said Sir Mungo. “ It is a credit 
to her that, bred and born within the sound of Bow Bell, she 
can blush for anything ; and, by my saul, Master George, ” he 
continued, chucking the irritated and reluctant damsel under 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


Ill 


the chin, “ she is bonny enough to make amends for her lack 
of ancestry — at least, in such a region as Cheaps ide, where, 
d’ye mind me, the kettle cannot call the porridge-pot ” 

The damsel blushed, but not so angrily as before. Master 
George Heriot hastened to interrupt the conclusion of Sir 
Mungo’s homely proverb, by introducing him personally to 
Lord Nigel. 

Sir Mungo could not at first understand what his host said — 
Bread of Heaven, wha say ye, man?” 

Upon the name of Nigel Olifaunt, Lord Glenvarloch, being 
again hallooed into his ear, he drew up, and, regarding his en- 
tertainer with some austerity, rebuked him for not making per- 
sons of quality acquainted with each other, that they might 
exchange courtesies before they mingled with other folks. He 
then made as handsome and courtly a congee to his new ac- 
quaintance as a man maimed in foot and hand could do ; and, 
observing he had known my lord, his father, bid him welcome 
to London, and hoped he should see him at court. 

Nigel in an instant comprehended, as well from Sir Mungo’s 
manner as from a strict compression of their entertainer’s lips, 
which intimated the suppression of a desire to laugh, that he 
was dealing with an original of no ordinary description, and 
accordingly returned his courtesy with suitable punctilious- 
ness. Sir Mungo, in the meanwhile, gazed on him with much 
earnestness; and, as the contemplation of natural advantages 
was as odious to him as that of wealth or other adventitious 
benefits, he had no sooner completely perused the handsome 
form and good features of the young lord, than, like one of 
the comforters of the Man of Uz, he drew close up to him, to 
enlarge on the former grandeur of the Lords of Glenvarloch, 
and the regret with which he had heard that their representa- 
tive was not likely to possess the domains of his ancestry. 
Anon, he enlarged upon the beauties of the principal mansion 
of Glenvarloch; the commanding site of the old castle; 
the noble expanse of the lake, stocked with wild-fowl for 
hawking; the commanding screen of forest, terminating in 
a mountain -ridge abounding with deer; and all the other 
advantages of that fine and ancient barony, till Nigel, in 


112 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


spite of every effort to tlie contrary, was unwillingly obliged 
to sigb. 

Sir Mungo, skilful in discerning when the withers of those 
he conversed with were wrung, observed that his new acquain- 
tance winced, and would willingly have pressed the discus- 
sion; but the cook’s impatient knock upon the dresser with 
the haft of his dudgeon-knife now gave a signal loud enough 
to be heard from the top of the house to the bottom, summon- 
ing, at the same time, the serving-men to place the dinner 
upon the table and the guests to partake of it. 

Sir Mungo, who was an admirer of good cheer — a taste 
which, by the way, might have some weight in reconciling his 
dignity to these city visits — was tolled off by the sound, and 
left Nigel and the other guests in peace, until his anxiety to 
arrange himself in his due place of pre-eminence at the genial 
board was duly gratified. Here, seated on the left hand of 
Aunt Judith, he beheld Nigel occupy the station of yet higher 
honour on the right, dividing that matron from pretty Mis- 
tress Margaret ; but he saw this with the more patience, that 
there stood betwixt him and the young lord a superb larded 
capon. 

The dinner proceeded according to the form of the times. 
All was excellent of the kind ; and, besides the Scottish cheer 
promised, the board displayed beef and pudding, the statutory 
dainties of Old England. A small cupboard of plate, very 
choicely and beautifully wrought, did not escape the compli- 
ments of some of the company, and an oblique sneer from 
Sir Mungo, as intimating the owner’s excellence in his own 
mechanica' craft. 

“ I am not ashamed of the workmanship. Sir Mungo, ” said 
the honest citizen. “ They say, a good cook knows how to 
lick his own fingers ; and, methinks, it were unseemly that I, 
who have furnished half the cupboards in broad Britain, 
should have my own covered with paltry pewter.” 

The blessing of the clergyman now left the guests at liberty 
to attack what was placed before them ; and the meal went 
forward with great decorum, until Aunt Judith, in farther 
recommendation of the capon, assured her company that it 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 113 

was of a celebrated breed of poultry which she had herself 
brought from Scotland. 

“ Then, like some of his countrymen, madam, ” said the 
pitiless Sir Mungo, not without a glance towards his landlord, 
“he has been well larded in England.” 

“ There are some others of his countrymen,” answered Mas- 
ter Heriot, “ to whom all the lard in England has not been able 
to render that good office.” 

Sir Mungo sneered and reddened, the rest of the company 
laughed ; and the satirist, who had his reasons for not coming 
to extremity with Master George, was silent for the rest of 
the dinner. 

The dishes were exchanged for confections and wine of the 
highest quality and flavour; and Nigel saw the entertainments 
of the wealthiest burgomasters which he had witnessed abroad 
fairly outshone by the hospitality of a London citizen. Yet 
there was nothing ostentatious, or which seemed inconsistent 
with the degree of an opulent burgher. 

While the collation proceeded, Nigel, according to the good- 
breeding of the time, addressed his discourse principally to 
Mrs. Judith, whom he found to be a woman of a strong Scot- 
tish understanding, more inclined towards the Puritans than 
was her brother George (for in that relation she stood to him, 
though he always called her aunt), attached to him in the 
strongest degree, and sedulously attentive to all his comforts. 
As the conversation of this good dame was neither lively nor 
fascinating, the young lord naturally addressed himself next 
to the old horologer’s very pretty daughter, who sat upon his 
right hand. From her, however, there was no extracting any 
reply beyond the measure of a monosyllable; and when the 
young gallant had said the best and most complaisant things 
which his courtesy supplied, the smile that mantled upon her 
pretty mouth was so slight and evanescent as scarce to be 
discernible. 

Nigel was beginning to tire of his company, for the old citi- 
zens were speaking with his host of commercial matters, in lan- 
guage to him totally unintelligible, when Sir Mungo Mala- 
growther suddenly summoned their attention. 

8 


114 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


That amiable personage had for some time withdrawn from 
the company into the recess of a projecting window, so formed 
and placed as to command a view of the door of the house and 
of the street. This situation was probably preferred by Sir 
Mungo on account of the number of objects which the streets 
of a metropolis usually offer of a kind congenial to the 
thoughts of a splenetic man. What he had hitherto seen 
passing there was probably of little consequence} but now a 
trampling of horse was heard without, and the knight sudden- 
ly exclaimed : “ By my faith. Master George, you had better 
go look to shop } for here comes Knighton, the Duke of Buck- 
ingham’s groom, and two fellows after him, as if he were my 
lord duke himself.” 

“ My cash-keeper is below, ” said Heriot, without disturbing 
himself, and he will let me know if his Grace’s commands 
require my immediate attention.” 

‘‘Umph! cash-keeper!” muttered Sir Mungo to himself; 
“he would have had an easy office when I first kenn’d ye. 
But, ” said he, speaking aloud, “ will you not come to the win- 
dow, at least? for Knighton has trundled a piece of silver 
plate into your house — ha! ha! ha! — trundled it upon its 
edge, as a callan’ would drive a hoop. I cannot help laugh- 
ing — ha! ha! ha! — at the fellow’s impudence.” 

“ I believe you could not help laughing,” said George Heriot, 
rising up and leaving the room, “ if your best friend lay dying. ” 

“Bitter that, my lord — ha?” said Sir Mungo, addressing 
Nigel. “ Our friend is not a goldsmith for nothing : he hath 
no leaden wit. But I will go down and see what comes on’t.” 

Heriot, as he descended the stairs, met his cash-keeper 
coming up, with some concern in his face. “ Why, how now, 
Roberts,” said the goldsmith, “what means all this, man?” 

“ It is Knighton, Master Heriot, from the court — Knighton, 
the duke’s man. He brought back the salver you carried to 
Whitehall, flung it into the entrance as if it had been an old 
pewter platter, and bade me tell you, the King would have 
none of your trumpery.” 

“Ay, indeed!” said George Heriot. “None of my trump- 
ery ! Come hither into the compting-room, Roberts. Sir 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


115 


Mungo,” he added, bowing to the knight, who had joined, 
and was preparing to follow them, “ I pray your forgiveness 
for an instant.” 

In virtue of this prohibition. Sir Mungo, who, as well as 
the rest of the company, had overheard what passed betwixt 
George Heriot and his cash-keeper, saw himself condemned to 
wait in the outer business-room, where he would have endeav- 
oured to slake his eager curiosity by questioning Knighton ; 
but that emissary of greatness, after having added to the un- 
civil message of his master some rudeness of his own, had 
again scampered westward, with his satellites at his heels. 

In the mean while, the name of the Duke of Buckingham, 
the omnipotent favourite both of the King and the Prince of 
Wales, had struck some anxiety into the party which remained 
in the great parlour. He was more feared than beloved, and, 
if not absolutely of a tyrannical disposition, was accounted 
haughty, violent, and vindictive. It pressed on NigePs heart 
that he himself, though he could not conceive how nor why, 
might be the original cause of the resentment of the duke 
against his benefactor. The others made their comments in 
whispers, until the sounds reached Ramsay, who had not 
heard a word of what had previously passed, but, plunged in 
those studies with which he connected every other incident 
and event, took up only the catchword, and replied: ^‘The 
Duke — the Duke of Buckingham — George Villiers ; ay, I have 
spoke with Lambe about him.” 

“Our Lord and our Lady! Now, how can you say so, 
father?” said his daughter, who had shrewdness enough to see 
that her father was touching upon dangerous ground. 

“ Why, ay, child, ” answered Ramsay ; “ the stars do but 
incline, they cannot compel. But well you wot, it is com- 
monly said of his Grace, by those who have the skill to cast 
nativities, that there was a notable conjunction of Mars and 
Saturn, the apparent or true time of which, reducing the cal- 
culations of Eichstadius made for the latitude of Oranienburgh 
to that of London, give seven hours, fifty -five minutes, and 
forty-one seconds ” 

“ Hold your peace, old soothsayer, ” said Heriot, who at that 


116 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


instant entered the room with a calm and steady countenance. 
“ Your calculations are true and undeniable when they regard 
brass and wire and mechanical force ; but future events are 
at the pleasure of Him who bears the hearts of kings in His 
hands.’’ 

“ Ay, but, George, ” answered the watchmaker, “ there was 
a concurrence of signs at this gentleman’s birth which showed 
his course would be a strange one. Long has it been said of 
him, he was born at the very meeting of night and day, and 
under crossing and contending influences that] may affect both 
us and him. 

Full moon and high sea, 

Great man shalt thou be ; 

Red dawning, stormy sky. 

Bloody death shalt thou die.” 

“ It is not good to speak of such things, ” said Heriot, “ es- 
pecially of the great : stone walls have ears, and a bird of the 
air shall carry the matter. ” 

Several of the guests seemed to be of their host’s opinion. 
The two merchants took brief leave, as if under consciousness 
that something was wrong. Mistress Margaret, her body- 
guard of ’prentices being in readiness, plucked her father by 
the sleeve, and, rescuing him from a brown study (whether 
referring to the wheels of Time or to that of Fortune, is un- 
certain), wished good-night to her friend Mrs. Judith, and 
received her godfather’s blessing, who, at the same time, put 
upon her slender finger a ring of much taste, and some value ; 
for he seldom suffered her to leave him without some token of 
his affection. Thus honourably dismissed, and accompanied 
by her escort, she set forth on her return to Fleet Street. 

Sir Mungo had bid adieu to Master Heriot as he came out 
from the back compting-room ; but such was the interest which 
he took in the affairs of his friend, that, when Master George 
went upstairs, he could not help walking into that sanctum 
sanctorum to see how Master Roberts was employed. The 
knight found the cash-keeper busy in making extracts from 
those huge brass-clasped, leathern-bound manuscript folios 
which are the pride and trust of dealers, and the dread of 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


117 


customers whose year of grace is out. The good knight leant 
his elbows on the desk, and said to the functionary in a con- 
doling tone of voice : “ What ! you have lost a good customer, 
I fear. Master Roberts, and are busied in making out his bill 
of charges?” 

Now, it chanced that Roberts, like Sir Mungo himself, was 
a little deaf, and, like Sir Mungo, knew also how to make the 
most of it ; so that he answered at cross purposes : “ I humbly 
crave your pardon. Sir Mungo, for not having sent in your bill 
of charge sooner, but my master bade me not disturb you. I 
will bring the items together in a moment.” So saying, he 
began to turn over the leaves of his book of fate, murmuring : 
“ Repairing ane silver seal — new clasp to his chain of office — 
ane over-gilt brooch to his hat, being a St. Andrew’s cross, 
with thistles — a copper gilt pair of spurs, — this to Daniel 
Driver, we not dealing in the article.” 

He would have proceeded ; but Sir Mungo not prepared to 
endure the recital of the catalogue of his own petty debts, and 
still less willing to satisfy them on the spot, wished the book- 
keeper, cavalierly, good-night, and left the house without 
farther ceremony. The clerk looked after him with a civil 
city sneer, and immediately resumed the more serious labours 
which Sir Mungo’s intrusion had interrupted.’ 


CHAPTER VII. 

Things needful we have thought on ; but the thing 
Of all most needful— that the Scripture terms, 

As if alone it merited regard, 

The ONE thing needful— that’s yet unconsider’d. 

The Chamberlain. 

When the rest of the company had taken their departure 
from Master Heriot’s house, the young Lord of Glenvarloch 
also offered to take leave; but his host detained him for a few 
minutes, until all were gone excepting the clergyman. 

“My lord,” then said the worthy citizen, “ we have had our 
^ See Sir Mungo Malagrowther. Note 12. 


118 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


permitted hour of honest and hospitable pastime, and now I 
would fain delay you for another and graver purpose, as it is 
our custom, when we have the benefit of good Mr. Windsor’s 
company, that he reads the prayers of the church for the 
evening before we separate. Your excellent father, my lord, 
would not have departed before family worship ; I hope the 
same from your lordship.” 

“With pleasure, sir,” answered Nigel; “ and you add in the 
invitation an additional obligation to those with which you 
have loaded me. When young men forget what is their duty, 
they owe deep thanks to the friend who will remind them 
of it.” 

While they talked together in this manner the, serving-men 
had removed the folding-tables, brought forward a portable 
reading-desk, and placed chairs and hassocks for their master, 
their mistress, and the noble stranger. Another low chair, or 
rather a sort of stool, was placed close beside that of Master 
Heriot; and though the circumstance was trivial, Nigel was 
induced to notice it, because, when about to occupy that seat, 
he was prevented by a sign from the old gentleman, and mo- 
tioned to another of somewhat more elevation. The clergyman 
took his station behind the reading-desk. The domestics, a 
numerous family both of clerks and servants, including Moni- 
plies, attended with great gravity, and were accommodated 
with benches. 

The household were all seated, and, externally at least, 
composed to devout attention, when a low knock was heard at 
the door of the apartment ; Mrs. Judith looked anxiously at 
her brother, as if desiring to know his pleasure. He nodded 
his head gravely, and looked to the door. Mrs. Judith imme- 
diately crossed the chamber, opened the door, and led into the 
apartment a beautiful creature, whose sudden and singular ap- 
pearance might have made her almost pass for an apparition. 
She was deadly pale : there Tvas not the least shade of vital 
red to enliven features which were exquisitely formed, and 
might, but for that circumstance, have been termed tran- 
scendency beautiful. Her long black hair fell down over her 
shoulders and down her back, combed smoothly and regularly, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


119 


but without the least appearance of decoration or ornament, 
which looked very singular at a period when headgear, as it 
was called, of one sort or other was generally used by all ranks. 
Her dress was of pure white, of the simplest fashion, and hid- 
ing all her person excepting the throat, face, and hands. Her 
form was rather beneath than above the midie size, but so just- 
ly proportioned and elegantly made, that the spectator’s atten- 
tion was entirely withdrawn from her size. In contradiction 
of the extreme plainness of all the rest of her attire, she wore 
a necklace which a duchess might have envied, so large and 
lustrous were the brilliants of which it was composed; and 
around her waist a zone of rubies of scarce inferior value. 

When this singular figure entered the apartment, she cast her 
eyes on Nigel, and paused, as if uncertain whether to advance 
or retreat. The glance which she took of him seemed to be one 
rather of uncertainty and hesitation than of bashfulness or 
timidity. Aunt Judith took her by the hand and led her 
slowly forward ; her dark eyes, however, continued to be fixed 
on Nigel, with an expression of melancholy by which he felt 
strangely affected. Even when she was seated on the vacant 
stool, which was placed there probably for her accommodation, 
she again looked on him more than once with the same pensive, 
lingering, and anxious expression, but without either shyness 
or embarrassment, not even so much as to call the slightest 
degree of complexion into her cheek. 

So soon as this singular female had taken up the prayer-book 
which was laid upon her cushion, she seemed immersed in de- 
votional duty ; and although Nigel’s attention to the service was 
so -much disturbed by this extraordinary apparition that he 
looked towards her repeatedly in the course of the service, he 
could ]iever observe that her eyes or her thoughts strayed so 
much as a single moment from the task in which she was en- 
gaged. Nigel himself was less attentive, for the appearance 
of this lady seemed so extraordinary, that, strictly as he had 
been bred up by his father to pay the most reverential atten- 
tion during performance of divine service, his thoughts in 
spite of himself were disturbed by her presence, and he ear- 
nestly wished the prayers were ended, that his curiosity might 


120 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


obtain some gratification. When the service was concluded, 
and each had remained, according to the decent and edifying 
practice of the church, concentrated in mental devotion for a 
short space, the mysterious visitant arose ere any other person 
stirred; and Nigel remarked that none of the domestics left 
their places, or even moved, until she had first kneeled on one 
knee to Heriot, who seemed to bless her with his hand laid on 
her head, and a melancholy solemnity of look and action ; she 
then bended her body, but without kneeling, to Mrs. Judith; 
and having performed these two acts of reverence, she left the 
room ; yet just in the act of her departure, she once more turned 
her penetrating eyes on Nigel with a fixed look, which com- 
pelled him to turn his own aside. When he looked towards 
her again, he saw only the skirt of her white mantle as she 
left the apartment. 

The domestics then rose and dispersed themselves ; wine, 
and fruit, and spices, were offered to Lord Nigel and to the 
clergyman, and the latter took his leave. The young lord 
would fain have accompanied him, in hope to get some expla- 
nation of the apparition which he had beheld, but he was 
stopped by his host, who requested to speak with him in his 
compting-room. 

“ I hope, my lord, said the citizen, “ that your preparations 
for attending court are in such forwardness that you can go 
thither the day after to-morrow. It is, perhaps, the last day, 
for some time, that his Majesty will hold open court for all 
who have pretensions by birth, rank, or office to attend upon 
him. On the subsequent day he goes to Theobald’s, where he 
is so much occupied with hunting and other pleasures that he 
cares not to be intruded on.” 

“ I shall be in all outward readiness to pay my duty, ” said 
the young nobleman, “ yet I have little heart to do it. The 
friends from whom I ought to have found encouragement and 
protection have proved cold and false : I certainly will not 
trouble them for their countenance on this occasion ; and yet 
I must confess my childish unwillingness to enter quite alone 
upon so new a scene. ” 

“ It is bold of a mechanic like me to make such an offer to 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


121 


a nobleman, ” said Heriot ; “ but I must attend at court [the 
day after] to-morrow. I can accompany you as far as the 
presence-chamber, from my privilege as being of the house- 
hold. I can facilitate your entrance should you find difficulty, 
and I can point out the proper manner and time of approach- 
ing the King. But I do not know,” he added, smiling, 

whether these little advantages will not be overbalanced by 
the incongruity of a nobleman receiving them from the hands 
of an old smith.” 

“ From the hands rather of the only friend I have found in 
London,” said Nigel, offering his hand. 

“Nay, if you think of the matter in that way,” replied the 
honest citizen, “ there is no more to be said ; I will come for 
you [the day after] to-morrow with a barge proper to the oc- 
casion. But remember, my good young lord, that I do not, 
like some men of my degree, wish to take opportunity to step 
beyond it and associate with my superiors in rank, and there- 
fore do not fear to mortify my presumption by suffering me to 
keep my distance in the presence, and where it is fitting for 
both of us to separate; and for what remains, most truly 
happy shall I be in proving of service to the son of my ancient 
patron. ” 

The style of conversation led so far from the point which had 
interested the young nobleman’s curiosity, that there was no 
returning to it that night. He therefore exchanged thanks 
and greeting with George Heriot, and took his leave, promis- 
ing to be equipped and in readiness to embark with him on 
the second successive morning at ten o’clock. 

The generation of linkboys, celebrated by Count Anthony 
Hamilton as peculiar to London, had already, in the reign of 
James I., begun their fimctions, and the service of one of 
them with his smoky torch had been secured to light the 
young Scottish lord and his follower to their lodgings, which, 
though better acquainted than formerly with the city, they 
might in the dark have run some danger of missing. This 
gave the ingenious Mr. Moniplies an opportunity of gathering 
close up to his master, after he had gone through the form of 
slipping his left arm into the handles of his buckler, and 


122 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


loosening his broadsword in the sheath, that he might be 
ready for whatever should befall. 

“ If it were not for the wine and the good cheer which we 
have had in yonder old man’s house, my lord,” said this sa- 
pient follower, ‘‘ and that I ken him by report to be a just liv- 
ing man in many respects, and a real Edinburgh gutterblood, 
I should have been well pleased to have seen how his feet 
were shaped, and whether he had not a cloven cloot under the 
braw roses and cordovan shoon of his.” 

“Why, you rascal,” answered Nigel, “you have been too 
kindly treated, and now that you have filled your ravenous 
stomach, you are railing on the good gentleman that relieved 
you. ” 

“Under favour, no, my lord,” said Moniplies; “I would 
only like to see something mair about him. I have eaten his 
meat, it is true — more shame that the like of him should have 
meat to give, when your lordship and me could scarce have 
gotten, on our own account, brose and a bear bannock. I 
have drunk his wine, too.” 

“ I see you have, ” replied his master, “ a great deal more 
than you should have done. ” 

“ Under j^our patience, my lord,” said Moniplies, “you are 
pleased to say that, because I crushed a quart with that jolly 
boy Jenkin, as they call the ’prentice boy, and that was out 
of mere acknowledgment for his former kindness. I own that 
I, moreover, sung the good old song of ‘Elsie Marley,’ so as 
they never heard it chanted in their lives.” 

“And withal,” as John Bunyan says, “as they went on 
their way, ” he sung : 

“ Oh, do ye ken Elsie Marley, honey — 

The wife that sells the barley, honey ? 

For Elsie Marley’ s grown sae fine, 

She winna get up to feed the swine. 

Oh, do ye ken ” 

Here in mid career was the songster interrupted by the stern 
gripe of his master, who threatened to baton him to death if 
he brought the city-watch upon them by his ill-timed melody. 

“ I crave pardon, my lord — I humbly crave pardon — only 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


123 


when I think of that Jen Win, as they call him, I can hardly 
help humming, ‘Oh, do ye ken ’ But I crave your hon- 

our’s pardon, and will be totally dumb, if you command me so. ” 

“No, sirrah!” said Nigel, “talk on, for I well Imow you 
would say and suffer more under pretence of holding your 
peace than when you get an unbridled license. How is it, 
then? What have you to say against Master Heriot?” 

It seems more than probable that, in permitting this license, 
the young lord hoped his attendant would stumble upon the 
subject of the young lady who had appeared at prayers in a 
manner so mysterious. But whether this was the case, or 
whether he merely desired that Moniplies should utter, in a 
subdued and under-tone of voice, those spirits which might 
otherwise have vented themselves in obstreperous song, it is 
certain he permitted his attendant to proceed with his story in 
his own way. 

“And therefore,” said the orator, availing himself of his 
immunity, “I would like to ken what sort of a carle this 
Maister Heriot is. He hath supplied your lordship with 
wealth of gold, as I can understand; and if he has, I make it 
for certain he hath had his ain end in it, according to the fash- 
ion of the world. Now, had your lordship your own good lands 
at your guiding, doubtless this person, with most of his craft — 
goldsmiths they call themselves, I say usurers — wad be glad to 
exchange so many pounds of African dust, by whilk I under- 
stand gold, against so many fair acres, and hundreds of acres, 
of broad Scottish land.” 

“But you know I have no land,” said the young lord, “at 
least none that can be affected by any debt which I can at 
present become obliged for. I think you need not have re- 
minded me of that.” 

“True, my lord — most true; and, as your lordship says, 
open to the meanest capacity, without any unnecessary exposi- 
tions. Now, therefore, my lord, unless Maister George Heriot 
has something mair to allege as a motive for his liberality, vera 
different from the possession of your estate, and moreover, as 
he could gain little by the capture of your body, wherefore 
should it not be your soul that he is in pursuit of?” 


124 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“My soul, you rascal!’^ said the young lord; “what good 
should my soul do him?” 

“What do I ken about that?” said Moniplies. “They go 
about roaring and seeking whom they may devour ; doubtless, 
they like the food that they rage so much about; and, my 
lord, they say,” added Moniplies, drawing up still closer to 
his master’s side — “they say that Master Heriot has one 
spirit in his house already.” 

“ How or what do you mean !” said Nigel. “ I will break 
your head, you drunken knave, if you palter with me any 
longer.” 

“Drunken!” answered his trusty adherent, “and is this the 
story? Why, how could I but drink your lordship’s health 
on my bare knees, when Master Jenkin began it to me? 
Hang them that would not ! I would have cut the impudent 
knave’s hams with my broadsword, that should make scruple 
of it, and so have made him kneel when he should have found 
it difficult to rise again. But touching the spirit,” he pro- 
ceeded, finding that his master made no answer to his valo- 
rous tirade, “ your lordship has seen her with your own eyes.” 

“ I saw no spirit, ” said Glenvarloch, but yet breathing thick 
as one who expects some singular disclosure ; “ what mean you 
by a spirit?” 

“ You saw a young lady come in to prayers, that spoke not 
a word to any one, only made becks and bows to the old gen- 
tleman and lady of the house — ken ye wha she is?” 

“No, indeed,” answered Nigel; “some relation of the 
family, I suppose?” 

“Deil a bit — deil a bit,” answered Moniplies, hastily — “not 
a blood-drop’s kin to them, if she had a drop of blood in her 
body. I tell you but what all human beings allege to be true, 
that dwell within hue and cry of Lombard Street — that lady, 
or quean, or whatever you choose to call her, has been dead 
in the body these many a year, though she haunts them, as 
we have seen, even at their very devotions.” 

“ You will allow her to be a good spirit at least, ” said Nigel 
Olifaunt, “since she chooses such a time to visit her friends?” 

“For that I kenna, my lord,” answered the superstitious 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


125 

follower. I ken no spirit that would have faced the right 
down hammer-blow of Mess John Knox, whom my father stood 
by in his very warst days, bating a chance time when the 
court, which my father supplied with butcher-meat, was 
against him. But yon divine has another airt from powerful 
Master Bollock, and Mess David Black of North Leith, and 
sic-like. Alack-a-day! wha can ken, if it please your lord- 
ship, whether sic prayers as the Southron read out of their 
auld blethering black mess-book there may not be as powerful 
to invite fiends as a right red-het prayer warm frae the heart 
may be powerful to drive them away, even as the Evil Spirit 
was driven by the smell of the fish’s liver from the bridal- 
chamber of Sara, the daughter of Raguel? as to whilk story, 
nevertheless, I make scruple to say whether it be truth or not, 
better men than I am having doubted on that matter. ” 

“ Well — well — weU, ” said his master, impatiently, “ we are 
now near home, and I have permitted you to speak of this 
matter for once, that we may have an end of your prying 
folly and your idiotical superstitions for ever. For whom do 
you, or your absurd authors or informers, take this lady?” 

“ I can say naething preceesely as to that, ” answered Moni- 
plies ; ‘‘ certain it is her body died and was laid in the grave 
many a day since, notwithstanding she still wanders on earth, 
and chiefly amongst Maister Heriot’s family, though she hath 
been seen in other places by them that well knew her. But 
who she is, I will not warrant to say, or how she becomes at- 
tached, like a Highland Brownie, to some peculiar family. 
They say she has a row of apartments of her own, ante-room, 
parlour, and bedroom; but deil a bed she sleeps in but her 
own cofiin, and the walls, doors, and windows are so chinked 
up as to prevent the least blink of daylight from entering; 
and then she dwells by torchlight ” 

“ To what purpose, if she be a spirit?” said Nigel Olifaunt. 

“How can I tell your lordship?” answered his attendant. 
“ I thank God, I know nothing of her likings or mislikings ; 
only her coffin is there, and I leave your lordship to guess 
what a live person has to do with a coffin. As little as a 
ghost with a lantern, I trow. ” 


126 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ What reason, ” repeated Nigel, can a creature so young 
and so beautiful have already habitually to contemplate her 
bed of last long rest?” 

‘‘In troth, I kenna, my lord,” answered Moniplies; “but 
there is the coffin, as they told me who have seen it. It is 
made of heben-wood, with silver nails, and lined all through 
with three-piled damask, might serve a princess to rest in.” 

“Singular!” said Nigel, whose brain, like that of most ac- 
tive young spirits, was easily caught by the singular and the 
romantic; “does she not eat with the family?” 

“Who? she!” exclaimed Moniplies, as if surprised at the 
question ; “ they would need a lang spoon would sup with her, 
I trow. Always there is something put for her into the tower, 
as they call it, whilk is a whigmaleery of a whirling-box, that 
turns round half on the tae side o’ the wa’, half on the 
tother. ” 

“ I have seen the contrivance in foreign nunneries, ” said the 
Lord of Glenvarloch. “ And is it thus she receives her food?” 

“ They tell me something is put in ilka day, for fashion’s 
sake,” replied the attendant; “but it’s no to be supposed she 
would consume it, ony mair than the images of Bel and the 
Dragon consumed the dainty vivers that were placed before 
them. There are stout yeomen and chamber-queans in the 
house,* enow to play the part of Lick-it-up-a’, as well as the 
threescore and ten priests of Bel, besides their wives and chil- 
dren.” 

“ And she is never seen in the family but when the hour of 
prayer arrives?” said the master. 

“Never, that I hear of,” replied the servant. 

“It is singular,” said Nigel Olif aunt, musing. “Were it 
not for the ornaments which she wears, and still more for her 
attendance upon the service of the Protestant Church, I should 
know what to think, and should believe her either a Catholic 
votaress, who, for some cogent reason, was allowed to make 
her cell here in London, or some unhappy Popish devotee, 
who was in the course of undergoing a dreadful penance. As 
it is, I know not what to deem of it.” 

His reverie was interrupted by the linkboy knocking at the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


127 


door of honest John Christie, whose wife came forth with 
“quips, and becks, and wreathed smiles,” to welcome her 
honoured guest on his return to his apartment. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Ay ! mark the matron well — and laugh not, Harry, 

At her old steeple hat and velvet guard — 

I’ve call’d her like the ear of Dionysius ; 

I mean that ear-form’d vault, built o’er his dungeon. 

To catch the groans and discontented murmurs 
Of his poor bondsmen. Ev’n so doth Martha 
Drink up, for her own purpose, all that passes. 

Or is supposed to pass, in this wide city. 

She can retail it too, if that her profit 
Shall call on her to do so ; and retail it 
For your advantage, so that you can make 
Your profit jump with hers. 

The Conspiracy. 

We must now introduce to the reader^ s acquaintance an- 
other character, busy and important far beyond her ostensible 
situation in society — in a word. Dame Ursula Suddlechop, wife 
of Benjamin Suddlechop, the most renowned barber in all Fleet 
Street. This dame had her own particular merits, the princi- 
pal part of which was, if her own report could be trusted, an 
infinite desire to be of service to her fellow-creatures. Leaving 
to her thin, half-starved partner the boast of having the most 
dexterous snap with his fingers of any shaver in London, and 
the care of a shop where starved apprentices flayed the faces 
of those who were boobies enough to trust them, the dame 
drove a separate and more lucrative trade, which yet had so 
many odd turns and windings, that it seemed in many respects 
to contradict itself. 

Its highest and most important duties were of a very secret 
and confidential nature, and Dame Ursula Suddlechop was 
never known to betray any transaction entrusted to her, unless 
she had either been indifferently paid for her service or that 
some one found it convenient to give her a double douceur to 
make her disgorge the secret; and these contingencies hap- 


128 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


pened in so few cases, that her character for trustiness re- 
mained as unimpeached as that for honesty and benevolence. 

In fact, she was a most admirable matron, and could be 
useful to the impassioned and the frail in the rise, progress, 
and consequences of their passion. She could contrive an in- 
terview for lovers who could show proper reasons for meeting 
privately ; she could relieve the frail fair one of the burden of 
a guilty passion, and perhaps establish the hopeful offspring 
of unlicensed love as the heir of some family whose love was 
lawful, but where an heir had not followed the union. More 
than this she could do, and had been concerned in deeper and 
dearer secrets. She had been a pupil of Mrs. Turner, and 
learned from her the secret of making the yellow starch, and, 
it may be, two or three other secrets of more consequence, 
though perhaps none that went to the criminal extent of those 
whereof her mistress was accused. But all that was deep and 
dark in her real character was covered by the show of outward 
mirth and good-humour, the hearty laugh and buxom jest with 
which the dame knew well how to conciliate the elder part of her 
neighbours, and the many petty arts by which she could recom- 
mend herself to the younger, those especially of her own sex. 

Dame Ursula was, in appearance, scarce past forty, and her 
full, but not overgrown, form, and still comely features, al- 
though her person was plumped out and her face somewhat 
coloured by good cheer, had a joyous expression of gaiety and 
good-humour, which set off the remains of beauty in the wane. 
Marriages, births, and christenings were seldom thought to be 
performed with sufficient ceremony, for a considerable distance 
round her abode, unless Dame Ursley, as they called her, was 
present. She could contrive all sorts of pastimes, games, and 
jests which might amuse the large companies which the hos- 
pitality of our ancestors assembled together on such occasions, 
so that her presence was literally considered as indispensable 
in the families of all citizens of ordinary rank at such joyous 
periods. So much also was she supposed to know of life and 
its labyrinths, that she was the willing confidante of half the 
loving couples in the vicinity, most of whom used to communi- 
cate their secrets to, and receive their counsel from. Dame 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


129 


Ursley. The rich rewarded her services with rings, owches, 
or gold pieces, which she liked still better ; and she very 
generously gave her assistance to the poor, on the same 
mixed principles as young practitioners in medicine assist 
them, partly from compassion, and partly to keep her hand 
in use. 

Dame Ursley ^s reputation in the city was the greater that 
her practice had extended beyond Temple Bar, and that she 
had acquaintances, nay, patrons and patronesses, among the 
quality, whose rank, as their members were much fewer, and 
the prospect of approaching the courtly sphere much more 
difficult, bore a degree of consequence unknown to the present 
day, when the toe of the citizen presses so close on the cour- 
tier’s heel. Dame Ursley maintained her intercourse with 
this superior rank of customers partly by driving a small trade 
in perfumes, essences, pomades, headgears from France, dishes 
or ornaments from China, then already beginning to be fash- 
ionable ; not to mention drugs of various descriptions, chiefly 
for the use of the ladies, and partly by other services more or 
less connected with the esoteric branches of her profession 
heretofore alluded to. 

Possessing such and so many various modes of thriving, 
Dame Ursley was nevertheless so poor, that she might prob- 
ably have mended her own circumstances, as well as her hus- 
band’s, if she had renounced them all, and set herself quietly 
down to the care of her own household, and to assist Benja- 
min in the concerns of his trade. But Ursula was luxurious 
and genial in her habits, and could no more have endured the 
stinted economy of Benjamin’s board than she could have rec- 
onciled herself to the bald chat of his conversation. 

It was on the evening of the day on which Lord Nigel Oli- 
faunt dined with the wealthy goldsmith that we must intro- 
duce Ursula Suddlechop upon the stage. She had that 
morning made a long tour to Westminster, was fatigued, and 
had assumed a certain large elbow-chair, rendered smooth by 
frequent use, placed on one side of her chimney, in which 
there was lit a small but bright fire. Here she observed, be- 
twixt sleeping and waking, the simmering of a pot of well- 
9 


130 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


spiced ale, on the brown surface of which bobbed a small 
crab-apple, sufficiently roasted, while a little mulatto girl 
watched, still more attentively, the process of dressing a veal 
sweetbread, in a silver stew-pan which occupied the other side 
of the chimney. With these viands, doubtless. Dame Ursula 
proposed concluding the well-spent day, of which she reckoned 
the labour over, and the rest at her own command. She was 
deceived, however; for just as the ale, or, to speak technically, 
the lamb’s-wool, was fitted for drinking, and the little dingy 
maiden intimated that the sweetbread was ready to be eaten, 
the thin cracked voice of Benjamin was heard from the bottom 
of the stairs. 

‘‘Why, DameUrsley — why, wife, Isay — why, dame — why, 
love, you are wanted more than a strop for a blunt razor — 
why, dame ” 

“ I would some one would draw a razor across thy windpipe, 
thou bawling ass!’^ said the dame to herself, in the first 
moment of irritation against her clamorous helpmate; and 
then called aloud : “ Why, what is the matter. Master Suddle- 
chop? I am just going to slip into bed; I have been daggled 
to and fro the whole day.” 

“Nay, sweetheart, it is not me,” said the patient Benjamin, 
“but the Scots laundi*y -maid from neighbour Ramsay^ s, who 
must speak with you incontinent.” 

At the word “sweetheart,” Dame Ursley cast a wistful look 
at the mess which was stewed to a second in the stew-pan, and 
then replied with a sigh, “ Bid Scots Jenny come up. Master 
Suddlechop. I shall be very happy to hear what she has to 
say” ; then added in a lower tone, “ And I hope she will go to 
the devil in the flame of a tar-barrel, like many a Scots witch 
before her!” 

The Scots laundress entered accordingly, and having heard 
nothing of the last kind wish of Dame Suddlechop, made her 
reverence with considerable respect, and said, her young mis- 
tress had returned home unwell, and wished to see her neigh- 
bour, Dame Ursley, directly. 

“And why will it not do to-morrow, Jenny, my good wo- 
man?” said Dame Ursley; “for I have been as far as White- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


131 


hall to-day already, and 1 am wellnigh worn off my feet, my 
good woman.” 

“Aweel,” answered Jenny, with great composure, “and if 
that sae be sae, I maun take the langer tramp mysell, and 
maun gae down the water-side for auld Mother Redcap, at the 
Hungerford Stairs, that deals in comforting young creatures, 
e’en as you do yoursell, hinny ; for ane o’ ye the bairn maun 
see before she sleeps, and that’s a’ that I ken on’t.” 

So saying, the old emissary, without farther entreaty, turned 
on her heel, and was about to retreat, when Dame Ursley ex- 
claimed; “No — no; if the sweet child, your mistress, has any 
necessary occasion for good advice and kind tendance, you need 
not go to Mother Redcap, Janet. She may do very well for 
skippers’ wives, chandlers’ daughters, and such-like ; but no- 
body shall wait on pretty Mistress Margaret, the daughter of 
his most sacred Majesty’s horologer, excepting and saving 
myself. And so I will but take my chopins and my cloak, 
and put on my muffler, and cross the street to neighbour Ram- 
say’s in an instant. But tell me yourself, good Jenny, are 
you not something tired of your young lady’s frolics and 
change of mind twenty times a day?” 

“ In troth, not I, ” said the patient drudge, “ unless it may 
be when she is a wee fashions about washing her laces ; but I 
have been her keeper since she was a bairn, neighbour Sud- 
dlechop, and that makes a difference.” 

“Ay,” said Dame Ursley, still busied putting on additional 
defences against the night air ; “ and you know for certain that 
5 he has two hundred pounds a year in good land, at her own 
free disposal?” 

“Left by her grandmother. Heaven rest her soul!” said the 
Scotswoman; “and to a daintier lassie she could not have 
bequeathed it.” 

“Very true — very true, mistress; for, with all her little 
whims, I have always said Mistress Margaret Ramsay was 
the prettiest girl in the ward; and, Jenny, I warrant the poor 
child has had no supper?” 

Jenny could not say but it was the case, “For, her master 
being out, the twa ’prentice lads had gone out after shutting 


132 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


shop to fetch them home, and she and the ^other maid had 
gone out to Sandy MacGivan’s, to see a friend frae Scotland.’’ 

“As was very natural, Mrs. Janet,” said Dame Ursley, who 
found her interest in assenting to all sorts of propositions from 
all sorts of persons. 

“And so the fire went out, too,” said Jenny. 

“ Which was the most natural of the whole, ” said Dame 
Suddlechop; “and so, to cut the matter short, Jenny, I’ll 
carry over the little bit of supper that I was going to eat. 
For dinner I have tasted none, and it may be my young pretty 
Mistress Marget will eat a morsel with me ; for it is mere 
emptiness. Mistress Jenny, that often puts these fancies of 
illness into young folks’ heads.” So saying, she put the sil- 
ver posset-cup with the ale into Jenny’s hands, and assuming 
her mantle with the alacrity of one determined to sacrifice 
inclination to duty, she hid the stew-pan imder its folds, 
and commanded Wilsa, the little mulatto girl, to light them 
across the street. 

“ Whither away so late?” said the barber, whom they passed 
seated with his starveling boys round a mess of stock-fish and 
parsnips in the shop below. 

“If I were to tell you, gaffer,” said the dame, with most 
contemptuous coolness, “I do not think you could do my 
errand, so I will e’en keep it to myself.” Benjamin was too 
much accustomed to his wife’s independent mode of conduct 
to pursue his inquiry farther; nor did the dame tarry for 
farther question, but marched out at the door, telling the eldest 
of the boys “ to sit up till her return, and look to the house 
the whilst.” 

The night was dark and rainy, and although the distance be- 
twixt the two shops was short, it allowed Dame Ursley leisure 
enough, while she strode along with high-tucked petticoats, to 
embitter it by the following grumbling reflections : “ I wonder 
what I have done, that I must needs trudge at every old bel- 
dam’s bidding and every young minx’s maggot? I have been 
marched from Temple Bar to Whitechapel, on the matter of a 
pinmaker’s wife having pricked her fingers — marry, her hus- 
band that made the weapon might have salved the wound. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


133 


And here is this fantastic ape, pretty Mistress Marget, for- 
sooth — such a beauty as I could make of a Dutch doll, and as 
fantastic, and humorous, and conceited as if she were a duch- 
ess. I have seen her in the same day as changeful as a mar- 
mozet, and as stubborn as a mule. I should like to know 
whether her little conceited noddle or her father ^s old crazy 
calculating jolter-pate breeds most whimsies. But then 
there’s that two hundred pounds a year in dirty land, and the 
father is held a close chuff, though a fanciful ; he is our land- 
lord besides, and she has begged a late day from him for our 
rent ; so, God help me, I must be conformable ; besides, the 
little capricious devil is my only key to get at Master George 
Heriot’s secret, and it concerns my character to find that out; 
and so, ‘ andiamos, ’ as the lingua franca hath it. ” 

Thus pondering, she moved forward with hasty strides 
until she arrived at the watchmaker’s habitation. The attend- 
ant admitted them by means of a pass-key. Onward glided 
Dame Ursula, now in glimmer and now in gloom, not like the 
lovely Lady Christabel through Gothic sculpture and ancient 
armour, but creeping and stumbling amongst relics of old 
machines, and models of new inventions in various branches 
of mechanics, with which wrecks of useless ingenuity, either 
in a broken or half-finished shape, the apartment of the fanci- 
ful though ingenious mechanist was continually lumbered. 

At length they attained, by a very narrow staircase, pretty 
Mistress Margaret’s apartment, where she, the cynosure of the 
eyes of every bold young bachelor in Fleet Street, sat in a pos- 
ture which hovered between the discontented and the discon- 
solate. For her pretty back and shoulders were rounded into 
a curve, her round and dimpled chin reposed in the hollow of 
her little palm, while the fingers were folded over her mouth ; 
her elbow rested on a table, and her eyes seemed fixed upon 
the dying charcoal, which was expiring in a small grate. She 
scarce turned her head when Dame Ursula entered, and wTien 
the presence of that estimable matron was more precisely an- 
nounced in words by the old Scotswoman, Mistress Margaret, 
without changing her posture, muttered some sort of answer 
that was wholly unintelligible. 


134 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Go your ways down to the kitchen with Wilsa, good Mis- 
tress Jenny,” said Dame Ursula, who was used to all sorts of 
freaks on the part of her patients or clients, whichever they 
might be termed — put the stew-pan and the porringer by the 
fireside, and go down below ; I must speak to my pretty love, 
Mistress Margaret, by myself j and there is not a bachelor 
betwixt this and Bow but will envy me the privilege. ” 

The attendants retired as directed, and Dame Ursula, hav- 
ing availed herself of the embers of charcoal to place her stew- 
pan to the best advantage, drew herself as close as she could 
to her patient, and began in a low, soothing, and confidential 
tone of voice to inquire what ailed her pretty flower of neigh- 
bours. 

“Nothing, dame,” said Margaret, somewhat pettishly, and 
changing her posture so as rather to turn her back upon the 
kind inquirer. 

“Nothing, lady-bird!” answered Dame Suddlechop; “and 
do you use to send for your friends out of bed at this hour 
for nothing?” 

“ It was not I who sent for you, dame, ” replied the malcon- 
tent maiden. 

“And who was it, then?” said Ursula; “for if I had not 
been sent for, I had not been here at this time of night, I 
promise you!” 

“ It was the old Scotch fool, Jenny, who did it out of her 
own head, I suppose, ” said Margaret ; “ for she has been stun- 
ning me these two hours about you and Mother Redcap.” 

“ Me and Mother Redcap!” said Dame Ursula, “ an old fool 
indeed, that couples folk up so. But come — come, my sweet 
little neighbour, Jenny is no such fool after all: she knows 
young folks want more and better advice than her own, and 
she knows, too, where to find it for them ; so you must take 
heart of grace, my pretty maiden, and tell me what you are 
moping about, and then let Dame Ursula alone for finding 
out a cure.” 

“Nay, can ye be so wise. Mother Ursula,” replied the girl, 
“ you may guess what I ail without my telling you.” 

“Ay— ay, <?h)ld,” answered the complaisant matron, “no 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


135 


one can play better than I at the good old game of What is 
my thought like? Now IHl warrant that little head of yours 
is running on a new head-tire, a foot higher than those our 
city dames wear; or you are all for a trip to Islington or 
Ware, and your father is cross and will hot consent; or ’’ 

“ Or you are an old fool, Dame Suddlechop, said Margaret, 
peevishly, “ and must needs trouble yourself about matters 
you know nothing of.’’ 

“Fool as much as you will, mistress,” said Dame Ursula, 
offended in her turn, “ but not so very many years older than 
yourself, mistress.” 

“ Oh ! we are angry, are we?” said the beauty. “ And pray. 
Madam Ursula, how come you, that are not so many years 
older than me, to talk about such nonsense to me, who am so 
many years younger, and who yet have too much sense to care 
about headgears and Islington?” 

“WeU — well, young mistress,” said the sage counsellor, 
rising, “ I perceive I can be of no use here ; and methinks, 
since you knew your own matters so much better than other 
people do, you might dispense with disturbing folks at mid- 
night to ask their advice.” 

“ Why, now you are angry, mother,” said Margaret, detain- 
ing her; “this comes of your coming out at eventide without 
eating your supper : I never heard you utter a cross word after 
you had finished your little morsel. Here, Janet, a trencher 
and salt for Dame Ursula. And what have you in that por- 
ringer, dame? Filthy clammy ale, as I would live. Let 
Janet fling it out of the window, or keep it for my father’s 
morning-draught ; and she shall bring you the pottle of sack 
that was set ready for him; good man, he will never find out 
the difference, for ale will wash down his dusty calculations 
quite as well as wine.” 

“Truly, sweetheart, I am of your opinion,” said Dame 
Ursula, whose temporary displeasure vanished at once before 
these preparations for good cheer; and so, settling herself on 
the great easy-chair, with a three-legged table before her, she 
began to despatch, with good appetite, the little delicate dish 
which she had prepared for herself. She did not, however. 


136 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


fail in the duties of civility, and earnestly, but in vain, 
pressed Mistress Margaret to partake her dainties. The 
damsel declined the invitation. 

“At least pledge me in a glass of sack,” said Dame Ursula. 
“ I have heard my grandame say that, before the Gospellers 
came in, the old Catholic father confessors and their penitents 
always had a cup of sack together before confession ; and you 
are my penitent.” 

“ I shall drink no sack, I am sure, ” said Margaret ; “ and I 
told you before that, if you cannot find out what ails me, I 
shall never have the heart to tell it.” 

So saying, she turned away from Dame Ursula once more, 
and resumed her musing posture, with her hand on her elbow, 
and her back, at least one shoulder, turned towards her con- 
fidante. 

“Nay, then,” said Dame Ursula, “I must exert my skill in 
good earnest. You must give me this pretty hand, and I will 
tell you by palmistry, as well as any gipsy of them all, what 
foot it is you halt upon.” 

“ As if I halted on any foot at all, ” said Margaret, some- 
thing scornfully, but yielding her left hand to Ursula, and 
continuing at the same time her averted position. 

“I see brave lines here,” said Ursula, “and not ill to read 
neither — pleasure and wealth, and merry nights and late morn- 
ings, to my beauty, and such an equipage as shall shake White- 
hall. Oh, have I touched you there? and smile you now, my 
pretty one? for why should not he be Lord Mayor, and go to 
court in his gilded caroche, as others have done before him?” 

“Lord Mayor! pshaw!” replied Margaret. 

“And why pshaw at my Lord Mayor, sweetheart? or per- 
haps you pshaw at my prophecy? but there is a cross in every 
one’s line of life as well as in yours, darling. And what 
though I see a ’prentice’s flat cap in this pretty palm, yet 
there is a sparkling black eye under it, hath not its match in 
the ward of Farringdon Without.” 

“ Whom do you mean, dame?” said Margaret, coldly. 

“Whom should I mean,” said Dame Ursula, “but the prince 
of ’prentices and king of good company, Jenkin Vincent?” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


137 


^‘Out, woman — Jenkin Vincent! A clown — a Cockney!” 
exclaimed the indignant damsel. 

“Ay, sets the wind in that quarter, beauty?” quoth the 
dame. “ Why, it has changed something since we spoke to- 
gether last, for then I would have sworn it blew fairer for 
poor Jin Vin; and the poor lad dotes on you too, and would 
rather see your eyes than the first glimse of the sun on the 
great holy day on May-day.” 

“ I would my eyes had the power of the sun to blind his, 
then, ” said Margaret, “ to teach the drudge his place. ” 

“Nay,” said Dame Ursula, “there be some who say that 
Frank Tunstall is as proper a lad as Jin Vin, and of surety 
he is third cousin to a knighthood, and comes of a good house ; 
and so mayhap you may be for northward ho!” 

“Maybe I may,” answered Margaret, “but not with my 
father’s ’prentice, I thank j’-ou. Dame Ursula.” 

“Nay, then, the devil may guess your thoughts for me,” 
said Dame Ursula; “this comes of trying to shoe a filly that 
is eternally wincing and shifting ground!” 

“Hear me then,” said Margaret, “and mind what I say. 
This day I dined abroad ” 

“I can tell you where,” answered her counsellor — “with 
your godfather, the rich goldsmith; ay, you see I know some- 
thing ; nay, I could tell you, an I would, with whom, too. ” 

“Indeed!” said Margaret, turning suddenly round with an 
accent of strong surprise, and colouring up to the eyes. 

“With old Sir Mungo Malagrowther, ” said the oracular 
dame; “he was trimmed in my Benjamin’s shop in his way 
to the city.” 

“Pshaw! the frightful old mouldy skeleton!” said the 
damsel. 

“ Indeed, you say true, my dear, ” replied the confidante ; 
“ it is a shame to him to be out of St. Pancras’s charnel-house, 
for I know no other place he is fit for, the foul-mouthed old 
railer. He said to my husband ” 

“ Somewhat which signifies nothing to our purpose, I dare 
say,” interrupted Margaret. “I must speak, then. There 
dined with us a nobleman ” 


138 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“A nobleman! the maiden’s mad!” said Dame Ursula. 

There dined with us, I say, ” continued Margaret, with- 
out regarding the interruption, “ a nobleman — a Scottish noble- 
man.” 

^‘Now, Our Lady keep her!” said the confidante, ‘‘she is 
quite frantic! Heard ever any one of a watchmaker’s daugh- 
ter falling in love with a nobleman; and a Scots nobleman, 
to make the matter complete, who are all as proud as Lucifer 
and as poor as Job? A Scots nobleman, quotha! I had as 
lief you told me of a Jew pedlar. I would have you think 
how all this is to end, pretty one, before you jump in the 
dark. ” 

“That is nothing to you, Ursula: it is your assistance,” said 
Mistress Margaret, “ and not your advice, that I am desirous 
to have, and you know 1 can make it worth your while.” 

“ Oh, it is not for the sake of lucre. Mistress Margaret, ” 
answered the obliging dame; “but truly I would have you 
listen to some advice; bethink you of your own condition.” 

“My father’s calling is mechanical,” said Margaret, “but 
our blood is not so. I have heard my father say that we are 
descended, at a distance indeed, from the great Earls of 
Dalwolsey.” ‘ 

“Ay — ay,” said Dame Ursula, “even so. I never knew a 
Scot of you but was descended, as ye call it, from some great 
house or other, and a piteous descent it often is ; and as for 
the distance you speak of, it is so great as to put you out of 
sight of each other. Yet do not toss your pretty head so 
scornfully, but tell me the name of this lordly northern gal- 
lant, and we will try what can be done in the matter.” 

“ It is Lord Glenvarloch, whom they call Lord Nigel Oli- 
faunt,” said Margaret in a low voice, and turning away to 
hide her blushes. 

“Marry, Heaven forefend!” exclaimed Dame Suddlechop; 
“this is the very devil and something worse!” 

“ How mean you ?” said the damsel, surprised at the vivacity 
of her exclamation. 

“ Why, know ye not, ” said the dame, “ what powerful ene- 
> See Note 13. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


139 


mies he has at court? know ye not But blisters on my 

tongue, it runs too fast for my wit; enough to say, that you 
had better make your bridal-bed under a falling house than 
think of young Glenvarloch.” 

“ He is unfortunate, then ?” said Margaret. “ I knew it — 
I divined it : there was sorrow in his voice when he said even 
what was gay ; there was a touch of misfortune in his melan- 
choly smile ; he had not thus clung to my thoughts had I seen 
him in all the mid-day glare of prosperity.” 

‘^Romances have cracked her brain!” said Dame Ursula; 
“she is a castaway girl — utterly distraught — loves a Scots 
lord, and likes him the better for being unfortunate! Well, 
mistress, I am sorry this is a matter I cannot aid you in : it 
goes against my conscience, and it is an affair above my con- 
dition, and beyond my management; but I will keep your 
counsel.” 

“You will not be so base as to desert me, after having 
drawn my secret from me?” said Margaret, indignantly; “if 
you do, I know how to have my revenge ; and if you do not, 
I will reward you well. Remember, the house your husband 
dwells in is my father’s property.” 

“I remember it but too well. Mistress Margaret,” said Ur- 
sula, after a moment’s reflection, “ and I would serve you in 
anything in my condition ; but to meddle with such high mat- 
ters I shall never forget poor Mistress Turner,’ my 

honoured patroness, peace be with her ! She had the ill-luck 
to meddle in the matter of Somerset and Overbury, and so the 
great earl and his lady slipt their necks out of the collar, and 
left her and some half-dozen others to suffer in their stead. I 
shall never forget the sight of her standing on the scaffold with 
the ruff round her pretty neck, all done up with the yellow 
starch which I had so often helped her to make, and that was 
so soon to give place to a rough hempen cord. Such a sight, 
sweetheart, will make one loth to meddle with matters that 
are too hot or heavy for their handling.” 

“Out, you fool!” answered Mistress Margaret; “am lone 
to speak to you about such criminal practices as that wretch 
» See Note 14. 


140 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


died for? All I desire of you is, to get me precise knowl- 
edge of what affair brings this young nobleman to court. 

“And when you have his secret,’^ said Ursula, “what will 
it avail you, sweetheart? And yet I would do your errand, if 
you could do as much for me.” 

“ And what is it you would have of me?” said Mistress 
Margaret. 

“ What you have been angry with me for asking before, ” 
answered Dame Ursula. “I want to have some light about 
the story of your godfather’s ghost, that is only seen at 
prayers. ” 

“Not for the world,” said Mistress Margaret, “will I be a 
spy on my kind godfather’s secrets. No, Ursula, that I 
will never pry into which he desires to keep hidden. But 
thou knowest that I have a fortune of my own, which must at 
no distant day come under my own management; think of 
some other recompense.” 

“ Ay, that I well know, ” said the counsellor ; “ it is that two 
hundred per year, with your father’s indulgence, that makes 
you so wilful, sweetheart.” 

“ It may be so, ” said Margaret Ramsay ; “ meanwhile, do 
you serve me truly, and here is a ring of value in pledge that, 
when my fortune is in my own hand, I will redeem the token 
with fifty broad pieces of gold. ” 

“Fifty broad pieces of gold!” repeated the dame; “and 
this ring, which is a right fair one, in token you fail not of 
your word! Well, sweetheart, if I must put my throat in 
peril, I am sure I cannot risk it for a friend more generous 
than you ; and I would not think of more than the pleasure 
of serving you, only Benjamin gets more idle every day, and 
our family ” 

“ Say no more of it, ” said Margaret ; “ we understand each 
other. And now, tell me what you know of this young man’s 
affairs, which made you so unwilling to meddle with them?” 

“ Of that I can say no great matter as yet, ” answered Dame 
Ursula; “only I know, the most powerful among his own 
countrymen are against him, and also the most powerful at 
the court here. But I will learn more of it ; for it will be a 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


141 


dim print that I will not read for your sake, pretty Mistress 
Margaret. Know you where this gallant dwells?” 

“ I heard by accident, ” said Margaret, as if ashamed of the 
minute particularity of her memory upon such an occasion, 
“ he lodges, I think — at one Christie’s — if I mistake not — at 
Paul’s Wharf — a ship-chandler’s.” 

“ A proper lodging for a young baron! Well, but cheer you 
up. Mistress Margaret. If he has come up a caterpillar, like 
some of his countrymen, he may cast his slough like them, 
add come out a butterfly. So I drink good-night and sweet 
dreams to you in another parting cup of sack ; and you shall 
hear tidings of me within four-and-twenty hours. And, once 
more, I commend you to your pillow, my pearl of pearls, and 
Marguerite of Marguerites!” 

So saying, she kissed the reluctant cheek of her young 
friend, or patroness, and took her departure with the light 
and stealthy pace of one accustomed to accommodate her foot- 
steps to the purposes of despatch and secrecy. 

Margaret Ramsay looked after her for some time in anxious 
silence. I did ill, ” she at length murmured, “ to let her wring 
this out of me ; but she is artful, bold, and serviceable — and 
I think faithful — or, if not, she will be true at least to her in- 
terest, and that I can command. I would I had not spoken, 
however — I have begun a hopeless work. For what has he 
said to me to warrant my meddling in his fortunes? Nothing 
but words of the most ordinary import — mere table-talk and 

terms of course. Yet who knows ” she said, and then 

broke off, looking at the glass the while ; which, as it reflected 
back a face of great beauty, probably suggested to her mind 
a more favourable conclusion of the sentence than she cared 
to trust her tongue withal. 


142 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER IX. 

So pitiful a thing is suitor’s state ! 

Most miserable man, whom wicked fate 
Hath brought to court to sue, for Had I wist. 

That few have found, and many a one hath miss’d 
Full little knowest thou, that hast not tried, 

What hell it is, in sueing long to bide : 

To lose good days that might be better spent ; 

To waste long nights in pensive discontent ; * 

To speed to-day, to be put back to-morrow ; 

To feed on hope, to pine with fear and sorrow ; 

To have thy prince’s grace, yet want her peers’ ; 

To have thy asking, yet wait many years ; 

To fret thy soul with crosses and with cares ; 

To eat thy heart through comfortless despairs ; 

To fawn, to crouch, to wait, to ride, to run, 

To spend, to give, to want, to be undone. 

Mother Hubherd's Tale. 

On the morning of the day on which George Heriot had 
prepared to escort the young Lord of Glenvarloch to the court 
at Whitehall, it may be reasonably supposed that the young 
man, whose fortunes were likely to depend on this cast, felt 
himself more than usually anxious. He rose early, made his 
toilet with uncommon care, and being enabled, by the gene- 
rosity of his more plebeian countryman, to set out a very 
handsome person to the best advantage, he obtained a mo- 
mentary approbation from himself as he glanced at the mirror, 
and a loud and distinct plaudit from his landlady, who de- 
clared at once that, in her judgment, he would take the wind 
out of the sail of every gallant in the presence, so much had 
she been able to enrich her discourse with the metaphors of 
those with whom her husband dealt. 

At the appointed hour, the barge of Master George Heriot 
arrived, handsomely manned and appointed, having a tilt with 
his own cipher and the arms of his company painted there- 
upon. 

The young Lord of Glenvarloch received the friend who 
had evinced such disinterested attachment with the kind cour- 
tesy which well became him. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


143 


Master Heriot then made him acquainted with the bounty of 
his sovereign ; which he paid over to his young friend, declin- 
ing what he had himself formerly advanced to him. Nigel felt 
all the gratitude which the citizen’s disinterested friendship 
had deserved, and was not wanting in expressing it suitably. 

Yet, as the young and high-born nobleman embarked to go 
to the presence of his prince, under the patronage of one whose 
best, or most distinguished, qualification was his being an emi- 
nent member of the Goldsmiths’ Incorporation, he felt a little 
surprised, if not abashed, at his own situation; and Richie 
Moniplies, as he stepped over the gangway to take his place 
forward in the boat, could not help muttering: ‘^It was a 
changed day betwixt Master Heriot and his honest father in 
the Kraemes; but, doubtless, there was a difference between 
clinking on gold and silver and clattering upon pewter.” 

On they glided, by the assistance of the oars of four stout 
watermen, along the Thames, which then served for the prin- 
cipal highroad betwixt London and Westminster; for few 
ventured on horseback through the narrow and crowded streets 
of the city, and coaches were then a luxury reserved only for 
the higher nobility, and to which no citizen, whatever was his 
wealth, presumed to aspire. The beauty of the banks, espe- 
cially on the northern side, where the gardens of the nobility 
descended from their hotels, in many places, down to the 
water’s edge, was pointed out to Nigel by his kind conductor, 
and was pointed out in vain. The mind of the young Lord 
of Glenvarloch was filled with anticipations, not the most 
pleasant, concerning the manner in which he was likely to 
be received by that monarch, in whose behalf his family had 
been nearly reduced to ruin ; and he was, with the usual men- 
tal anxiety of those in such a situation, framing imaginary 
questions from the King, and over-toiling his spirit in devis- 
ing answers to them. 

His conductor saw the labour of Nigel’s mind, and avoided 
increasing it by farther conversation; so that, when he had 
explained to him briefly the ceremonies observed at court on 
such occasions of presentation, the rest of their voyage was 
performed in silence. 


144 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


They landed at Whitehall Stairs, and entered the palace 
after announcing their names — the guards paying to Lord 
Glenvarloch the respect and honours due to his rank. 

The young man’s heart heat high and thick within him as 
he came into the royal apartments. His education abroad, 
conducted, as it had been, on a narrow and limited scale, had 
Igiven him hut imperfect ideas of the grandeur of a court ; and 
the philosophical reflections which taught him to set ceremo- 
nial and exterior splendour at deflance proved, like other max- 
ims of mere philosophy, ineffectual, at the moment they were 
weighed against the impression naturally made on the mind 
of an inexperienced youth by the unusual magniflcence of the 
scene. The splendid apartments through which they passed, 
the rich apparel of the grooms, guards, and domestics in wait- 
ing, and the ceremonial attending their passage through the 
long suite of apartments, had something in it, trifling and 
commonplace as it might appear to practised courtiers, em- 
barrassing, and even alarming, to one who went through these 
forms for the first time, and who was doubtful what sort of 
reception was to accompany his first appearance before his 
sovereign. 

Heriot, in anxious attention to save his young friend from 
any momentary awkwardness, had taken care to give the 
necessary password to the warders, grooms of the chambers, 
ushers, or 'by whatever name they were designated; so they 
passed on without interruption. 

In this manner they passed several ante-rooms, filled chiefly 
with guards, attendants of the court, and their acquaintances, 
male and female, who, dressed in their best apparel, and with 
eyes rounded by eager curiosity to make the most of their 
opportunity, stood, with beseeming modesty, ranked against 
the wall, in a manner which indicated that they were specta- 
tors, not performers, in the courtly exhibition. 

Through these exterior apartments Lord Glenvarloch and 
his city friend advanced into a large and splendid withdraw- 
ing room, communicating with the presence-chamber, into 
which ante-room were admitted those only who, from birth, 
their posts in the state or household, or by the particular 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


146 


grant of the King, had right to attend the court, as men en- 
titled to pay their respects to their sovereign. 

Amid this favoured and selected company, Nigel observed 
Sir Mungo Malagrowther, who, avoided and discountenanced 
oy those who knew how low he stood in court interest and 
favour, was but too happy in the opportunity of hooking him- 
self upon a person of Lord Glenvarloch’s rank, who was as yet 
so inexperienced as to feel it difficult to shake off an intruder. 

The knight forthwith framed his grim features to a ghastly 
smile, and, after a preliminary and patronising nod to George 
Heriot, accompanied with an aristocratic wave of the hand, 
which intimated at once superiority and protection, he laid 
aside altogether the honest citizen, to whom he owed many a 
dinner, to attach himself exclusively to the young lord, al- 
though he suspected he might be occasionally in the predica- 
ment of needing one as much as himself. And even the no- 
tice of this original, singular and unamiable as he was, was 
not entirely indifferent to Lord Glenvarloch, since the abso- 
lute and somewhat constrained silence of his good friend 
Heriot, which left him at liberty to retire painfully to his 
own agitating reflections, was now relieved; while, on the 
other hand, he could not help feeling interest in the sharp 
and sarcastic information poured upon him by an observant, 
though discontented, courtier, to whom a patient auditor, and 
he a man of title and rank, was as much a prize as his acute 
and communicative disposition rendered him an entertaining 
companion to Nigel Olifaunt. Heriot, in the mean time, ne- 
glected by Sir Mungo, and avoiding every attempt by which 
the grateful politeness of Lord Glenvarloch strove to bring 
him into the conversation, stood by, with a kind of half smile 
on his countenance ; but whether excited by Sir Mungo’s wit 
or arising at his expense, did not exactly appear. 

In the mean time, the trio occupied a nook of the ante-room 
next to the door of the presence-chamber, which was not yet 
thrown open, when Maxwell, with his rod of office, came bus- 
tling into the apartment, where most men, excepting those of 
high rank, made way for him. He stopped beside the party 
in which we are interested, looked for a moment at the young 
10 


146 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Scots nobleman, then made a slight obeisance to Heriot, and 
lastly, addressing Sir Mungo Malagrowther, began a hurried 
complaint to him of the misbehaviour of the gentlemen-pen- 
sioners and warders, who suffered all sort of citizens, suitors, 
and scriveners to sneak into the outer apartments, without 
either respect or decency. “ The English, ” he said, “ were 
scandalised, for such a thing durst not be attempted in the 
Queen’s days. In her time, there was then the courtyard for 
the mobility, and the apartments for the nobility ; and it re- 
flects on your place, Sir Mungo, ” he added, belonging to the 
household as you do, that such things should not be better 
ordered. ” 

Here Sir Mungo, afflicted, as was frequently the case on 
such occasions, with one of his usual fits of deafness, an- 
swered : It was no wonder the mobility used freedoms, when 
those whom they saw in office were so little better in blood 
and havings than themselves.” 

“You are right, sir — quite right,” said Maxwell, putting 
his hand on the tarnished embroidery on the old knight’s 
sleeve : “ when such fellows see men in office dressed in cast- 
off suits, like paltry stage-players, it is no wonder the court 
is thronged with intruders.” 

“Were you lauding the taste of my embroidery, Maister 
Maxwell?” answered the knight, who apparently interpreted 
the deputy-chamberlain’s meaning rather from his action 
than his words. “ It is of an ancient and liberal pattern, 
having been made by your mother’s father, auld James Stitch- 
ell, a master-fashioner of honest repute, in Merlin’s Wynd, 
whom I made a point to employ, as I am now happy to re- 
member, seeing your father thought fit to intermarry with sic 
a person’s daughter.” ’ 

Maxwell looked stern; but, conscious there was nothing to 
be got of Sir Mungo in the way of amends, and that prosecut- 
ing the quarrel with such an adversary would only render him 
ridiculous, and make public a misalliance of which he had no 
reason to be proud, he covered his resentment with a sneer ; 
and, expressmg his regret that Sir Mungo was become too 
' See Note 12, p, 452. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


147 


deaf to understand or attend to what was said to him, walked 
on, and planted himself beside the folding-doors of the pres- 
ence-chamber, at which he was to perform the duty of deputy- 
chamberlain, or usher, so soon as they should be opened. 

The door of the presence is about to open, ’’ said the gold- 
smith, in a whisper, to his young friend ; my condition per- 
mits me to go no farther with you. Fail not to present your- 
self boldly, according to your birth, and offer your supplication ; 
which the King will not refuse to accept, and, as I hope, to 
consider favourably. ” 

As he spoke, the door of the presence-chamber opened ac- 
cordingly, and, as is usual on such occasions, the courtiers 
began to advance towards it, and to enter in a slow, but con- 
tinuous and uninterrupted, stream. 

As Nigel presented himself in his turn at the entrance, and 
mentioned his name and title. Maxwell seemed to hesitate. 

You are not known to any one, ” he said. “ It is my duty 
to suffer no one to pass to the presence, my lord, whose face 
is unknown to me, unless upon the word of a responsible 
person. ” 

“I came with Master George Heriot,” said Nigel, in some 
embarrassment at this unexpected interruption. 

Master Heriot^s name will pass current for much gold and 
silver, my lord,’^ replied Maxwell, with a civil sneer, ‘‘bu't 
not for birth and rank. I am compelled by my ofB.ce to be 
peremptory. The entrance is impeded ; I am much concerned 
to say it — your lordship must stand back.” 

“ What is the matter?” said an old Scottish nobleman, who 
had been speaking with George Heriot, after he had separated 
from Nigel, and who now came forward, observing the alter- 
cation betwixt the latter and Maxwell. 

‘^It is only Master Deputy-Chamberlain Maxwell,” said 
Sir Mungo Malagrowther, “expressing his joy to see Lord 
Glenvarloch at court, whose father gave him his ofiBce; at 
least I think he is speaking to that purport, for your lordship 
kens my imperfection.” A subdued laugh, such as the situa- 
tion permitted, passed round amongst those who heard this 
specimen of Sir Mungo’s sarcastic temper. But the old noble- 


148 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


man stepped still more forward, saying : “ What ! the son of 
my gallant old opponent, Ochtred [Randal] Olifaunt? I wiU 
introduce him to the presence myself.’^ 

So saying, he took Nigel by the arm, without farther cere- 
mony, and was about to lead him forward, when Maxwell, 
still keeping his rod across the door, said, but with hesitation 
and embarrassment : My lord, this gentleman is not known, 
and I have orders to be scrupulous.” 

Tutti-taiti, man, ” said the old lord, “ I will be answerable 
he is his father’s son, from the cut of his eyebrow; and thou. 
Maxwell, knewest his father well enough to have spared thy 
scruples. Let us pass, man.” So saying, he put aside the 
deputy-chamberlain’s rod and entered the presence-room, still 
holding the young nobleman by the arm. 

‘‘ Why, I must know you, man, ” he said — “ I must know 
you. I knew your father well, man, and I have broke a lance 
and crossed a blade with him ; and it is to my credit that I 
am living to brag of it. He was king’s-man, and I was 
queen’ s-man, during the Douglas wars — young fellows both, 
that feared neither fire nor steel ; and we had some old feu- 
dal quarrels besides, that had come down from father to son, 
with our seal-rings, two-handed broadswords, and plate-coats, 
and the crests on our burgonets.” 

Too loud, my Lord of Huntinglen, ” whispered a gentle- 
man of the chamber. “ The King! — the King!” 

The old earl (for such he proved) took the hint and was 
silent; and James, advancing from a side-door, received in 
succession the compliments of strangers, while a little group 
of favourite courtiers, or officers of the household, stood 
around him, to whom he addressed himself from time to time. 
Some more pains had been bestowed on his toilet than upon 
the occasion when we first presented the monarch to our read- 
ers ; but there was a natural awkwardness about his figure 
which prevented his clothes from sitting handsomely, and the 
prudence or timidity of his disposition had made him adopt 
the custom already noticed, of wearing a dress so thickly 
quilted as might withstand the stroke of a dagger, which 
added an ungainly stiffness to his whole appearance, con- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


149 


trasting oddly with the frivolous, ungraceful, and fidgeting 
motions with which he accompanied his conversation. And 
yet, though the King^s deportment was very undignified, he 
had a manner so kind, familiar, and good-humoured, was so 
little apt to veil over or conceal his own foibles, and had so 
much indulgence and sympathy for those of others, that his 
address, joined to his learning and a certain proportion of 
shrewd mother-wit, failed not to make a favourable impres- 
sion on those who approached his person. 

When the Earl of Huntinglen had presented Nigel to his 
sovereign, a ceremony which the good peer took upon himself, 
the King received the young lord very graciously, and ob- 
served to his introducer that he was fain to see them twa 
stand side by side; for I trow, my Lord Huntinglen,’’ con- 
tinued he, “your ancestors, ay, and e’en your lordship’s self 
and this lad’s father, have stood front to front at the sword’s 
point, and that is a worse posture,” 

“Until your Majesty,” said Lord Huntinglen, “made Lord 
Ochtred [Randal] and me cross palms, upon the memorable 
day when your Majesty feasted all the nobles that were at feud 
together, and made them join hands in your presence ” 

“ I mind it weel, ” said the King — “ I mind it weel ; it was 
a blessed day, being the nineteen of September, of all days 
in the year; and it was a blythe sport to see how some of the 
carles girned as they clapped loofs together. By my saul, I 
thought some of them, mair special the Hieland chiels, wad 
have broken out in our own presence ; but we caused them to 
march hand in hand to the Cross, ourselves leading the way, 
and there drink a blythe cup of kindness with ilk other, to 
the stanching of feud and perpetuation of amity. Auld John 
Anderson was provost that year; the carle grat for joy, and 
the bailies and councillors danced bareheaded in our presence 
like five-year-auld colts, for very triumph.” 

“ It was indeed a happy day, ” said Lord Huntinglen, “ and 
will not be forgotten in the history of your Majesty’s reign.” 

“ I would not that it were, my lord, ” replied the monarch — 
“ I would not that it were pretermitted in our annals. Ay, 
ay — Beati pacificL My English lieges here may weel make 


150 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


much of me, for I would have them to know, they have got- 
ten the only peaceable man that ever came of my family. 
If James with the Fiery Face had come amongst you,” he 
said, looking round him, “ or my great grandsire, of Flodden 
memory!” 

“We should have sent him back to the North again,” whis- 
pered one English nobleman. 

“At least,” said another, in the same inaudible tone, “we 
should have had a man to our sovereign, though he were but 
a Scotsman.” 

“ And now, my young springald, ” said the King to Lord 
Glenvarloch, “where have you been spending your calf- 
time?” 

“ At Leyden, of late, may it please your Majesty,” answered 
Lord Nigel. 

“Aha! a scholar,” said the King; “and, by my saul, a 
modest and ingenuous youth, that hath not forgotten how to 
blush, like most of our travelled Monsieurs. We will treat 
him comformably . ” 

Then drawing himself up, coughing slightly, and looking 
around him with the conscious importance of superior learn- 
ing, while all the courtiers who understood, or understood 
not, Latin, pressed eagerly forward to listen, the sapient 
monarch prosecuted his inquiries as follows : 

“ Hem ! — hem ! Salve bis, quaterque salve, Glenvarlochides 
noster! Nuperumne ab Lugduno Batavorum Britanniam re- 
diisti?” 

The young nobleman replied, bowing low : “ Imo, Rex au- 
gustissime, biennium fere apud Lugdunenses moratus sum.” 

James proceeded: “Biennium dicis? bene, bene, optume 
factum est. Non uno die, quod dicunt, — intelligisti, Domine 
Glenvarlochiensis ? Aha ! ” 

Nigel replied by a reverent bow, and the King, turning to 
those behind him, said : “ Adolescens quidem ingenui vultus 
ingenuique pudoris.” Then resumed his learned queries. 
“ Et quid hodie Lugdunenses loquuntur? Vossius vester, ni- 
hilne novi scripsit? nihil certe, quod doleo, typis recenter 
edidit.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


161 


“Valet quidem Vossius, Rex benevole,” replied Nigel, “ast 
senex veneratissimus annum agit, ni fallor, septuagesimum. ” 
“ Virum, mehercle, vix tarn grandaevum crediderim/’ replied 
the monarch. “ Et Vorstius iste, Arminii improbi successor 
seque ac sectator — herosne adhuc, ut cum Homero loquar, Zojo^ 
i(Tr\ xai iri ^Oovl dipxwvT^ 

Nigel, by good fortune, remembered that Vorstius, the 
divine last mentioned in his Majesty’s queries about the state 
of Dutch literature, had been engaged in a personal contro- 
versy with James, in which the King had taken so deep an 
interest, as at length to hint in his public correspondence with 
the United States, that they would do well to apply the secu- 
lar arm to stop the progress of heresy by violent measures 
against the professor’s person — a demand which their Mighty 
Mightinesses’ principles of universal toleration induced them 
to elude, though with some difficulty. Knowing all this. 
Lord Glen var loch, though a courtier of only five minutes’ 
standing, had address enough to reply : 

“Vivum quidem, haud diu est, hominem videbam; vigere 
autem quis dicat qui sub fulminibus eloquentise tuse, Rex 
magne, jamdudum pronus jacet, et prostratus?” ’ 

This last tribute to his polemical powers completed James’s 
happiness, which the triumph of exhibiting his erudition had 
already raised to a considerable height. 

He rubbed his hands, snapped his fingers, fidgeted, chuckled, 
exclaimed, “ Euge ! belle ! optime and turning to the Bish- 
ops of Exeter and Oxford, who stood behind him, he said : “Ye 
see, my lords, no bad specimen of our Scottish Latinity, with 
which language we would all our subjects of England were as 
well embued as this and other youths of honourable birth in 
our auld kingdom ; also, we keep the genuine and Roman pro- 
nunciation, like other learned nations on the Continent, sae 
that we hold communing with any scholar in the universe who 
can but speak the Latin tongue; whereas ye, our learned 

* Lest any lady or gentleman should suspect there is aught of mystery 
concealed under the Latin sentences, they will be pleased to understand 
that they contain only a few commonplace phrases, relating to the state 
of letters in Holland, which neither deserve nor would endure a literal 
translation. 


152 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


subjects of England, have introduced into your universities, 
otherwise most learned, a fashion of pronouncing like unto 
the ^nippit foot and clippit foot ^ of the bride in the fairy 
tale, whilk manner of speech — take it not amiss that I be 
round with you — can be understood by no nation on earth 
saving yourselves; whereby Latin, quoad Anglos, ceaseth to 
be communis lingua, the general dragoman, or interpreter, 
between all the wise men of the earth.” 

The Bishop of Exeter bowed, as in acquiescence to the royal 
censure ; but he of Oxford stood upright, as mindful over what 
subjects his see extended, and as being equally willing to be- 
come food for fagots in defence of the Latinity of the univer- 
sity as for any article of his religious creed. 

The King, without awaiting an answer from either prelate, 
proceeded to question Lord Nigel, but in the vernacular tongue : 
“ Weel, my likely alumnus of the Muses, and what make you 
so far from the North?” 

“To pay my homage to your Majesty,” said the young 
nobleman, kneeling on one knee, “and to lay before you,” he 
added, “ this my humble and dutiful supplication. ” 

The presenting of a pistol would certainly have startled 
King James more, but could, setting apart the fright, hardly 
have been more unpleasing to his indolent disposition. 

“And is it even so, man?” said he; “and can no single 
man, were it but for the rarity of the case, ever come up frae 
Scotland excepting ex proposito — on set purpose, to see what 
he can make out of his loving sovereign? It is but three 
days syne that we had weelnigh lost our life, and put three 
kingdoms into dule-weeds, from the over-haste of a clumsy- 
handed peasant to thrust a packet into our hand, and now we 
are beset by the like impediment in our very court. To our 
secretary with that gear, my lord — to our secretary with that 
gear.” 

“ I have already offered my humble supplication to your 
Majesty’s Secretary of State,” said Lord Glenvarloch; “but 
it seems ” 

“That he would not receive it, I warrant?” said the King, 
interrupting him. “By my saul, our secretary kens that 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


153 


point of kingcraft called refusing better than we do, and will 
look at nothing but what he likes himsell: I think I wad 
make a better secretary to him than he to me. Weel, my 
lord, you are welcome to London ; and, as ye seem an acute 
and learned youth, I advise ye to turn your neb northwaxd 
as soon as ye like, and settle yoursell for a while at St. 
Andrews, and we will be right glad to hear that you prosper 
in your studies. Incumhite remis fortiter.^^ 

While the King spoke thus, he held the petition of the 
young lord carelessly, like one who only delayed till the sup- 
plicant’s back was turned to throw it away, or at least lay it 
aside to be no more looked at. The petitioner, who read this 
in his cold and indifferent looks, and in the manner in which 
he twisted and crumpled together the paper, arose with a bit- 
ter sense of anger and disappointment, made a profound obei- 
sance, and was about to retire hastily. But Lord Huntinglen, ’ 
who stood by him, checked his intention by an almost imper- 
ceptible touch upon the skirt of his cloak, and Nigel, taking 
the hint, retreated only a few steps from the royal presence, 
and then made a pause. In the meantime. Lord Huntinglen 
kneeled before J ames, in his turn, and said : “ May it please 
your Majesty to remember, that upon one certain occasion you 
did promise to grant me a boon every year of your sacred life?” 

mind it weel, man,” answered James — “I mind it weel, 
and good reason why : it was when you unclasped the fause 
traitor Ruthven’s fangs from about our royal throat, and 
drove your dirk into him like a true subject. We did then, 
as you remind us — whiLk was unnecessary — being partly be- 
side ourselves with joy at our liberation, promise we would 
grant you a free boon every year ; whilk promise, on our com- 
ing to menseful possession of our royal faculties, we did con- 
firm, restrictive always and conditionaliter that your lordship’s 
demand should be such as we, in our royal discretion, should 
think reasonable.” 

“Even so, gracious sovereign,” said the old earl, “and may 
I yet farther crave to know if I have ever exceeded the bounds 
of your royal benevolence?” 

1 See Note 16. 


164 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ By my word, man, no!” said the King : “ I cannot remem- 
ber you have asked much for yourself, if it be not a dog, or a 
hawk, or a buck out of our park at Theobald^ s, or such-like. 
But to what serves this preface?” 

To the boon which I am now to ask of your Grace, ” said 
Lord Huntinglenj ^‘whicn is, that your Majesty -would be 
pleased, on the instant, to look at the placet of Lord Glenvar- 
loch, and do upon it what your own just and royal nature shall 
think meet and just, without reference to your secretary or 
any other of your council.” 

“ By my saul, my lord, this is strange, ” said the King ; “ ye 
are pleading for the son of your enemy!” 

“ Of one who was my enemy till your Majesty made him 
my friend,” answered Lord Huntinglen. 

Weel spoken, my lord!” said the King, ‘^and with a true 
Christian spirit. And, respecting the supplication of this 
young man, I partly guess where the matter lies ; and in plain 
troth I had promised to George Heriot to be good to the lad. 
But then here the shoe pinches. Steenie and Baby Charles 
cannot abide him, neither can your own son, my lord; and 
so, methinks, he had better go down to Scotland before he 
comes to ill-luck by them.” 

“ My son, an it please your Majesty, so far as he is con- 
cerned, shall not direct my doings, ” said the earl, “ nor any 
wild-headed young man of them all.” 

“ Why, neither shall they mine, ” replied the monarch ; “ by 
my father’s saul, none of them all shall play rex with me: I 
will do what I will, and what I aught, like a free king. ” 

“Your Majesty will then grant me my boon?” said the 
Lord Huntinglen. 

“ Ay, marry will I — marry will I, ” said the King ; “ but 
follow me this way, man, where we may be more private.” 

He led Lord Huntinglen with rather a hurried step through 
the courtiers, all of whom gazed earnestly on this unwonted 
scene, as is the fashion of all courts on similar occasions. 
The King passed into a little cabinet, and bade, in the first 
moment. Lord Huntinglen lock or bar the door ; but counter- 
manded his direction in the next, saying : “ No, no, no — bread 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


155 


life, man, I am a free king — will do wkat I will and what 
I should — I am Justus et tenax propositi, man; nevertheless, 
keep by the door. Lord Huntinglen, in case Steenie should 
come in with his mad humour.” 

“ O my poor master !” groaned the Earl of Huntinglen. 

When you were in your own cold country, you had warmer 
blood in your veins.” 

The King hastily looked over the petition or memorial, 
every now and then glancing his eye towards the door, and 
then sinking it hastily on the paper, ashamed that Lord 
Huntinglen, whom he respected, should suspect him of ti- 
midity. 

“ To grant the truth, ” he said, after he had finished his 
hasty perusal, “ this is a hard case ; and harder than it was 
represented to me, though I had some inkling of it before. 
And so the lad only wants payment of the siller due from us, 
in order to reclaim his paternal estate? But then, Huntinglen, 
the lad will have other debts, and why burden himsell with 
sae mony acres of barren woodland? Let the land gang, man 
— let the land gang. Steenie has the promise of it from our 
Scottish chancellor: it is the best hunting-ground in Scot- 
land ; and Baby Charles and Steenie want to kill a buck there 
this next year. They maun hae the land — they maun hae the 
land; and our debt shall be paid to the young man plack and 
bawbee, and he may have the spending of it at our court ; or 
if he has such an card hunger, wouns! man, we’ll stuff his 
stomach with English land, which is worth twice as much, ay, 
ten times as much, as these accursed hills and heughs, and 
mosses and muirs, that he is sae keen after.” 

All this while the poor King ambled up and down the apart- 
ment in a piteous state of uncertainty, which was made more 
ridiculous by his shambling, circular mode of managing his 
legs, and his ungainly fashion on such occasions of fiddling 
with the bunches of ribbons which fastened the lower part of 
his dress. 

Lord Huntinglen listened with great composure, and an- 
swered: “An it please your Majesty, there was an answer 
yielded by Naboth when Ahab coveted his vineyard: ‘The 


166 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers 
unto thee. ^ ” 

“Ey, my lord — ey, my lord!” ejaculated James, while all 
the colour mounted both to his cheek and nose ; “ I hope ye 
mean not to teach me divinity? Ye need not fear, my lord, 
that I will shun to do justice to every man ; and since your 
lordship will give me no help to take up this in a more peace- 
ful manner — whilk, methinks, would be better for the young 
man, as I said before — why, since it maun be so, ’sdeath, I 
am a free king, man, and he shall have his money and redeem 
his land, and make a kirk and a miln of it, an he will.” So 
saying, he hastily wrote an order on the Scottish Exchequer 
for the sum in question, and then added : “ How they are to 
pay it, I see not; but I warrant he will find money on the 
order among the goldsmiths, who can find it for every one but 
me. And now you see, my Lord of Huntinglen, that I am 
neither an untrue man, to deny you the boon whilk I became 
bound for; nor an Ahab, to covet Naboth’s vineyard; nor a 
mere nose-of-wax, to be twisted this way and that by favour- 
ites and counsellors at their pleasure. I think you will grant 
now that I am none of those?” 

You are my own native and noble prince,” said Hunting- 
len as he knelt to kiss the royal hand — “ just and generous, 
whenever you listen to the workings of your own heart.” 

“Ay — ay,” said the King, laughing good-naturedly, as he 
raised his faithful servant from the ground, “ that is what ye 
all say when I do anything to please ye. There — there, take 
the sign-manual, and away with you and this young fellow. 
I wonder Steenie and Baby Charles have not broken in on us 
before now. ” 

Lord Huntinglen hastened from the cabinet, foreseeing a 
scene at which he was unwilling to be present, but which 
sometimes occurred when James roused himself so far to exert 
his own free will, of which he boasted so much, in spite of 
that of his imperious favourite Steenie, as he called the Duke 
of Buckingham, from a supposed resemblance betwixt his very 
handsome countenance and that with which the Italian artists 
represented the proto-martyr Stephen. In fact, the haughty 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


157 


favourite, who had the unusual good fortune to stand as high 
in the opinion of the heir-apparent as of the existing mon- 
arch, had considerably diminished in his respect towards the 
latter ; and it was apparent to the more shrewd courtiers that 
James endured his domination rather from habit, timidity, 
and a dread of encountering his stormy passions, than from 
any heartfelt continuation of regard towards him, whose great- 
ness had been the work of his own hands. To save himself 
the pain of seeing what was likely to take place on the duke’s 
return, and to preserve the King from the additional humilia- 
tion which the presence of such a witness must have occa- 
sioned, the earl left the cabinet as speedily as possible, having 
first carefully pocketed the important sign-manual. 

No sooner had he entered the presence-room than he hastily 
sought Lord Glenvarloch, who had withdrawn into the em- 
brasure of one of the windows, from the general gaze of men 
who seemed disposed only to afford him the notice which 
arises from surprise and curiosity, and, taking him by the 
arm, without speaking, led him out of the presence-chamber 
into the first ante-room. Here they found the worthy gold- 
smith, who approached them with looks of curiosity, which 
were checked by the old lord, who said hastily, “ All is well. 
Is your barge in waiting ?” Heriot answered in the affirmative. 

Then, ” said Lord Huntinglen, ‘‘ you shall give me a cast in 
it, as the watermen say, and I, in requital, will give you both 
your dinner ; for we must have some conversation together. ” 

They both followed the earl without speaking, and were in 
the second ante-room when the important annunciation of the 
ushers, and the hasty murmur with which all made ample way 
as the company repeated to each other, “ The duke — the 
duke!” made them aware of the approach of the omnipotent 
favourite. 

He entered, that unhappy minion of court favour, sumptu- 
ously dressed in the picturesque attire which will live for ever 
on the canvas of Vandyke, and which marks so well the proud 
age when aristocracy, though undermined and nodding to its 
fall, still, by external show and profuse expense, endeavoured 
to assert its paramount superiority over the inferior orders. 


158 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


The handsome and commanding countenance, stately form, 
and graceful action and manners of the Duke of Buckingham 
made him become that picturesque dress beyond any man of 
his time. At present, however, his countenance seemed dis- 
composed, his dress a little more disordered than became the 
place, his step hasty, and his voice imperative. 

All marked the angry spot upon his brow, and bore back so 
suddenly to make way for him that the Earl of Huntinglen, 
who affected no extraordinary haste on the occasion, with his 
companions, who could not, if they would, have decently left 
him, remained as it were by themselves in the middle of the 
room, and in the very path of the angry favourite. He touched 
his cap sternly as he looked on Huntinglen, but unbonneted 
to Heriot, and sunk his beaver, with its shadowy plumes, as 
low as the floor, with a profound air of mock respect. In 
returning his greeting, which he did simply and unaffectedly, 
the citizen only said : “ Too much courtesy, my lord duke, is 
often the reverse of kindness.’’ 

I grieve you should think so. Master Heriot, ” answered 
the duke ; I only meant, by my homage, to claim your pro- 
tection, sir — your patronage. You are become, I understand, 
a solicitor of suits — a promoter — an undertaker — a fautor of 
court suitors of merit and quality who chance to be penniless. 
I trust your bags will bear you out in your new boast.” 

“ They will bear me the farther, my lord duke,” answered 
the goldsmith, “that my boast is but small.” 

“Oh, you do yourself less than justice, my good Master 
Heriot, ” continued the duke, in the same tone of irony : “ you 
have a marvellous court-faction, to be the son of an Edinburgh 
tinker. Have the goodness to prefer me to the knowledge of 
the high-born nobleman who is honoured and advantaged by 
your patronage.” 

“ That shall be my task, ” said Lord Huntinglen, with em- 
phasis. “ My lord duke, I desire you to know Nigel Olifaunt, 
Lord Glenvarloch, representative of one of the most ancient 
and powerful baronial houses in Scotland. Lord Glenvarloch, 
I present you to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, ^ repre- 
‘ See Note 16 . 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


159 


sentative of Sir George Villiers, knight, of Brookesby, in the 
county of Leicester.” 

The duko coloured still more high as he bowed to Lord 
Glenvarloch scornfully — a courtesy which the other returned 
haughtily and with restrained indignation. “We know each 
other, then,” said the duke, after a moment’s pause; and as 
if he had seen something in the young nobleman which mer- 
ited more serious notice than the bitter raillery with which he 
had commenced — “ we know each other ; and you know me, 
my lord, for your enemy.” 

“ I thank you for your plainness, my lord duke, ” replied 
Nigel; “ an open enemy is better than a hollow friend.” 

“ For you, my Lord Huntinglen, ” said the duke, “ methinks 
you have but now overstepped the limits of the indulgence 
permitted to you as the father of the Prince’s friend and 
my own.” 

“ By my word, my lord duke, ” replied the earl, “ it is easy 
for any one to outstep boundaries of the existence of which he 
was not aware. It is neither to secure my protection nor ap- 
probation that my son keeps such exalted company.” 

“ Oh, my lord, we know you, and indulge you, ” said the 
duke ; “ you are one of those who presume for a life-long upon 
the merit of one good action.” 

“ In faith, my lord, and if it be so, ” said the old earl, “ I 
have at least the advantage of such as presume more than I 
do, without having done any action of merit whatever. But 
I mean not to quarrel with you, my lord ; we can neither be 
friends nor enemies : you have your path and I have mine.” 

Buckingham only replied by throwing on his bonnet, and 
shaking its lofty plume with a careless and scornful toss of 
the head. They parted thus; the duke walking onwards 
through the apartments, and the others leaving the palace and 
repairing to Whitehall Stairs, where they embarked on board 
the barge of the citizen. 


160 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER X. 

Bid not thy fortune troll upon the wheels 
Of yonder dancing cubes of mottled bone ; 

And drown it not, like Egypt’s royal harlot, 

Dissolving her rich pearl in the brimm’d wine-cup. 

These are the arts, Lothario, which shrink acres 
Into brief yards— bring sterling pounds to farthings, 

Credit to infamy ; and the poor gull, 

Who might have lived an honour’d, easy life. 

To ruin, and an unregarded grave. 

The Changes. 

When they were fairly embarked on the Thames, the earl 
took from his pocket the supplication, and, pointing out to 
George Heriot the royal warrant indorsed thereon, asked him 
if it were in due and regular form. The worthy citizen hast- 
ily read it over, thrust forth his hand as if to congratulate the 
Lord Glenvarloch, then checked himself, pulled out his bar- 
nacles (a present from old David Ramsay), and again perused 
the warrant with the most business-like and critical attention. 

It is strictly correct and formal, he said, looking to the 
Earl of Huntinglen, “and I sincerely rejoice at it.’’ 

“I doubt nothing of its formality,” said the earl; “the 
King understands business well, and, if he does not practise 
it often, it is only because indolence obscures parts which are 
naturally well qualified for the discharge of affairs. But 
what is next to be done for our young friend. Master Heriot? 
You know how I am circumstanced. Scottish lords, living 
at the English court, have seldom command of money ; yet, 
unless a sum can be presently raised on this warrant, matters 
standing as you hastily hinted to me, the mortgage, wadset, 
or whatever it is called, will be foreclosed.” 

“It is true,” said Heriot, in some embarrassment, “there 
is a large sum wanted in redemption ; yet, if it is not raised, 
there wiU be an expiry of the legal, as our lawyers call it, 
and the estate will be evicted.” 

“My noble — my worthy friends, who have taken up my 
cause so undeservedly, so unexpectedly,” said Xigel, “do 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


161 


not let me be a burden on your kindness. You have already 
done too much where nothing was merited.” 

Peace, man — peace, ” said Lord Huntinglen, and let old 
Heriot and I puzzle this scent out. He is about to open — 
hark to him.” 

‘‘My lord,” said the citizen, “the Duke of Buckingham 
sneers at our city money-bags; yet they can sometimes open 
to prop a falling and a noble house.” 

“We know they can,” said Lord Huntinglen. “Mind not 
Buckingham, he is a Peg*a-Ramsay ; and now for the remedy.” 

“ I partly hinted to Lord Glenvarloch already, ” said Her- 
iot, “that the redemption money might be advanced upon 
such a warrant as the present, and I will engage my credit 
that it can. But then, in order to secure the lender, he must 
come in the shoes of the creditor to whom he advances pay- 
ment.” 

“Come in his shoes!” replied the earl. “Why, what have 
boots or shoes to do with this matter, my good friend?” 

“ It is a law phrase, my lord. My experience has made me 
pick up a few of them,” said Heriot. 

“ Ay, and of better things along with them. Master George, ” 
replied Lord Huntinglen; “but what means it?” 

“ Simply this, ” resumed the citizen, “ that the lender of this 
money will transact with the holder of the mortgage, or wad- 
set, over the estate of Glenvarloch, and obtain from him such 
a conveyance to his right as shall leave the lands pledged for 
the debt, in case the warrant upon the Scottish Exchequer 
should prove unproductive. I fear, in this uncertainty of 
public credit, that, without some such counter security, it will 
be very difficult to find so large a sum.” 

“Ho la!” said the Earl of Huntinglen, “halt there! a 
thought strikes me. What if the new creditor should ad- 
mire the estate as a hunting-field as much as my Lord Grace 
of Buckingham seems to do, and should wish to kill a buck 
there in the summer season? It seems to me that, on your 
plan. Master George, our new friend will be as well entitled 
to block Lord Glenvarloch out of his inheritance as the pres- 
ent holder of the mortgage.” 

11 


162 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


The citizen laughed. “ I will engage, ” he said, “ that the 
keenest sportman to whom I may apply on this occasion shall 
not have a thought beyond the lord mayor’s Easter hunt in 
Epping Forest. But your lordship’s caution is reasonable. 
The creditor must be bound to allow Lord Glenvarloch suffi- 
cient time to redeem his estate by means of the royal war- 
rant, and must waive in his favour the right of instant fore- 
closure, which may be, I should think, the more easily managed 
as the right of redemption must be exercised in his own 
name.” 

But where shall we find a person in London fit to draw 
the necessary writings?” said the earl. “If my old friend 
Sir John Skene of Hally ards had lived, we should have had 
his advice ; but time presses, and ” 

“ I know, ” said Heriot, an orphan lad, a scrivener, that 
dwells by Temple Bar ; he can draw deeds both after the Eng- 
lish and Scottish fashion, and I have trusted him often in 
matters of weight and of importance. I will send one of my 
serving-men for him, and the mutual deeds may be executed 
in your lordship’s presence ; for, as things stand, there should 
be no delay.” His lordship readily assented; and, as they 
now landed upon the private stairs leading down to the river 
from the gardens of the handsome hotel which he inhabited, 
the messenger was despatched without loss of time. 

Nigel, who had sat almost stupified while these zealous 
friends volunteered for him in arranging the measures by 
which his fortune was to be disembarrassed, now made an- 
other eager attempt to force upon them his broken expressions 
of thanks and gratitude. But he was again silenced by Lord 
Huntinglen, who declared he would not hear a word on that 
topic, and proposed instead, that they should take a turn in 
the pleached alley, or sit upon the stone bench which over- 
looked the Thames, until his son’s arrival should give the 
signal for dinner. 

‘‘ I desire to introduce Halgarno and Lord Glenvarloch to 
each other, ” he said, “ as two who will be near neighbours, 
and I trust will be more kind ones than their fathers were 
formerly. There is but three Scots miles betwixt the castles, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


163 


and the turrets of the one are visible from the battlements of 
the other.” 

The old earl was silent for a moment, and appeared to muse 
upon the recollections which the vicinity of the castles had 
summoned up. 

“ Does Lord Dalgarno follow the court to Newmarket next 
week?” said Heriot, by way of renewing the conversation. 

“ He proposes so, I think, ” answered Lord Huntinglen, re- 
lapsed into his reverie for a minute or two, and then ad- 
dressed Nigel somewhat abruptly : 

“ My young friend, when you attain possession of your in- 
heritance, as I hope you soon will, I trust you will not add 
one to the idle followers of the court, but reside on your patri- 
monial estate, cherish your ancient tenants, relieve and assist 
your poor kinsmen, protect the poor against subaltern op- 
pression, and do what our fathers used to do, with fewer 
lights and with less means than we have.” 

‘‘And yet the advice to keep the country,” said Heriot, 
“comes from an ancient and constant ornament of the court.” 

“ From an old courtier, indeed, ” said the earl, “ and t^e first 
of my family that could so write himseK : my grey beard falls 
on a cambric ruff and a silken doublet, my father’s descended 
upon a buff coat and a breastplate. I would not that those 
days of battle returned ; but I should love well to make the 
oaks of my old forest of Dalgarno ring once more with halloo, 
and horn, and hound, and to have the old stone-arched hall 
return the hearty shout of my vassals and tenants, as the 
bicker and the quaigh walked their rounds amongst them. I 
should like to see the broad Tay once more before I die ; not 
even the Thames can match it, in my mind.” 

“ Surely, my lord, ” said the citizen, “ all this might be 
easily done : it costs but a moment’s resolution, and the jour- 
ney of some brief days, and you will be where you desire to 
be; what is there to prevent you?” 

“ Habits, Master George — habits, ” replied the earl, “ which 
to young men are like threads of silk, so lightly are they 
worn, so soon broken ; but which hang on our old limbs as if 
time had stiffened them into gyves of iron. To go to Scot- 


164 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


land for a brief space were but labour in vain ; and when I 
think of abiding there, I cannot bring myself to leave my old 
master, to whom I fancy myself sometimes useful, and whose 
weal and woe I have shared for so many years. But Dalgarno 
shall be a Scottish noble. 

Has he visited the North?’’ said Heriot. 

“ He was there last year, and made such a report of the 
country that the Prince has expressed a longing to see it. ” 

“ Lord Halgarno is in high grace with his Highness and the 
Duke of Buckingham?” observed the goldsmith. 

‘‘ He is so, ” answered the earl ; “ I pray it may be for the 
advantage of them all. The Prince is just and equitable in 
his sentiments, though cold and stately in his manners, and 
very obstinate in his most trifling purposes ; and the duke, 
noble and gallant, and generous and open, is fiery, ambitious, 
and impetuous. Dalgarno has none of these faults, and such 
as he may have of his own may perchance be corrected by the 
society in which he moves. See, here he comes.” 

Lord Dalgarno accordingly advanced from the farther end 
of the alley to the bench on which his father and his guests 
were seated, so that Nigel had full leisure to peruse his coun- 
tenance and figure. He was dressed point-device, and almost 
to extremity, in the splendid fashion of the time, which suited 
well with his age, probably about five-and-twenty, with a 
noble form and fine countenance, in which last could easily 
be traced the manly features of his father, but softened by a 
more habitual air of assiduous courtesy than the stubborn old 
earl had ever condescended to assume towards the world in 
general. In other respects, his address was gallant, free, and 
unencumbered either by pride or ceremony — far remote cer- 
tainly from the charge either of haughty coldness or forward 
impetuosity ; and so far his father had justly freed him from 
the marked faults which he ascribed to the manners of the 
Prince and his favourite Buckingham. 

While the old earl presented his young acquaintance Lord 
Glenvarloch to his son, as one whom he would have him love 
and honour, Nigel marked the countenance of Lord Dalgarno 
closely, to see if he could detect aught of that secret dislike 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


165 


which the King had, in one of his broken expostulations, 
seemed to intimate, as arising from a clashing of interests be- 
twixt his new friend and the great Buckingham. But nothing 
of this was visible ; on the contrary. Lord Dalgarno received 
his new acquaintance with the open frankness and courtesy 
which makes conquest at once, when addressed to the feelings 
of an ingenuous young man. 

It need hardly be told that his open and friendly address 
met equally ready and cheerful acceptation from Nigel Oli- 
faunt. For many months, and while a youth not much above 
two-and-twenty, he had been restrained by circumstances from 
the conversation of his equals. When, on his father’s sudden 
death, he left the Low Countries for Scotland, he had found 
himself involved, to all appearance inextricably, with the de- 
tails of the law, all of which threatened to end in the aliena- 
tion of the patrimony which should support his hereditary 
rank. His term of sincere mourning, joined to injured pride, 
and the swelling of the heart under unexpected and unde- 
served misfortune, together with the uncertainty attending 
the issue of his affairs, had induced the young Lord of Glen- 
varloch to live, while in Scotland, in a very private and re- 
served manner. How he had passed his time in London, the 
reader is acquainted with. But this melancholy and secluded 
course of life was neither agreeable ,to his age nor to his tem- 
per, which was genial and sociable. He hailed, therefore, 
with sincere pleasure the approaches which a young man of 
his own age and rank made towards him ; and when he had ex- 
changed with liord Dalgarno some of those words and signals 
by which, as surely as by those of freemasonry, young people 
recognise a mutual wish to be agreeable to each other, it seemed 
as if the two noblemen had been acquainted for some time. 

Just as this tacit intercourse had been established, one of 
Lord Huntinglen’s attendants came down the alley, marshall- 
ing onwards a man dressed in black buckram, who followed 
him with tolerable speed, considering that, according to his 
sense of reverence and propriety, he kept his body bent and 
parallel to the horizon from the moment that he came in sight 
of the company to which he was about to be presented. 


166 


WAVEKLEY NOVELS. 


“ Who is this, you cuckoldy knave, ’’ said the old lord, who 
had retained the keen appetite and impatience of a Scottish 
baron even during a long alienation from his native country j 
and why does John Cook, with a murrain to him, keep back 
dinner?” 

“ I believe we are ourselves responsible for this person’s in- 
trusion, ” said George Heriot : “ this is the scrivener whom we 
desired to see. Look up, man, and see us in the face as an 
honest man should, instead of bearing thy noddle charged 
against us thus, like a battering-ram.” 

The scrivener did look up accordingly, with the action of 
an automaton which suddenly obeys the impulse of a pressed 
spring. But, strange to tell, not even the haste he had made 
to attend his patron’s mandate — a business, as Master Heriot’ s 
message expressed, of weight and importance — nay, not even 
the state of depression in which, out of sheer humility doubt- 
less, he had his head stooped to the earth, from the moment 
he had trod the demesnes of the Earl of Huntiuglen, had 
called any colour into his countenance. The drops stood on 
his brow from haste and toil, but his cheek was still pale and 
tallow-coloured as before; nay, what seemed stranger, his 
very hair, when he raised his head, hung down on either 
cheek as straight and sleek and undisturbed as it was when 
we first introduced him to our readers, seated at his quiet and 
humble desk. 

Lord Dalgarno could not forbear a stifled laugh at the 
ridiculous and Puritanical figure which presented itself like a 
starved anatomy to the company, and whispered at the same 
time into Lord Glenvarloch’s ear : 

“ The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon, 

Where got’st thou that goose-look? ” 

Nigel was too little acquainted with the English stage to 
understand a quotation which had already grown matter of 
common allusion in London. Lord Dalgarno saw that he was 
not understood, and continued : “ That fellow, by his visage, 
should either be a saint or a most hypocritical rogue; and 
such is my excellent opinion of human nature, that I always 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


167 


suspect the worst. But they seem deep in business. Will 
you take a turn with me in the garden, my lord, or will you 
remain a member of the serious conclave?” 

“With you, my lord, most willingly,” said Nigel; and they 
were turning away accordingly, when George Heriot, with the 
formality belonging to his station, observed that, “ As their 
business concerned Lord Glenvarloch, he had better remain, 
to make himself master of it and witness to it.” 

“My presence is utterly needless, my good lord, and my 
best friend. Master Heriot, ” said the young nobleman. “ I 
shall understand nothing the better for cumbering you with my 
ignorance in these matters ; and can only say at the end, as I 
now say at the beginning, that I dare not take the helm out 
of the hand of the kind pilots who have already guided my 
course within sight of a fair and unhoped-for haven. What- 
ever you recommend to me as fitting, I shall sign and seal ; 
and the import of the deeds I shall better learn by a brief ex- 
planation from Master Heriot, if he will bestow so much trou- 
ble in my behalf, than by a thousand learned words and law 
terms from this person of skill.” 

“ He is right, ” said Lord Huntinglen — “ our young friend 
is right, in confiding these matters to you and me. Master 
George Heriot : he has not misplaced his confidence. ” 

Master George Heriot cast a long look after the two young 
noblemen, who had now walked down the alley arm-in-arm, 
and at length said: “He hath not indeed misplaced his confi- 
dence, as your lordship well and truly says; but, neverthe- 
less, he is not in the right path; for it behoves every man to 
become acquainted with his own affairs, so soon as he hath 
any that are worth attending to.” 

When he had made this observation, they applied them- 
selves, with the scrivener, to look into various papers, and to 
direct in what manner writings should be drawn, which might 
at once afford sufficient security to those who were to advance 
the money, and at the same time preserve the right of the 
young nobleman to redeem the family estate, provided he should 
obtain the means of doing so, by the expected reimbursement 
from the Scottish Exchequer or otherwise. It is needless to 


168 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


enter into those details. But it is not unimportant to men- 
tion, as an illustration of character, that Heriot went into the 
most minute legal details with a precision which showed that 
experience had made him master even of the intricacies of 
Scottish conveyancing; and that the Earl of Huntinglen, 
though far less acquainted with technical details, suffered no 
step of the business to pass over, until he had attained a gen- 
eral but distinct idea of its import and its propriety. 

They seemed to be admirably seconded in their, benevolent 
intentions towards the young Lord Glenvarloch by the skill 
, and eager zeal of the scrivener, whom Heriot had introduced 
to this piece of business, the most important which Andrew 
had ever transacted in his life, and the particulars of which 
were moreover agitated in his presence between an actual earl 
and one whose wealth and character might entitle him to be 
alderman of his ward, if not to be lord mayor, in his turn. 

While they were thus in eager conversation on business, the 
good earl even forgetting the calls of his appetite and the delay 
of dinner in his anxiety to see that the scrivener received 
proper instructions, and that all was rightly weighed and con- 
sidered, before dismissing him to engross the necessary deeds, 
the two young men walked together on the terrace which over- 
hung the river, and talked on the topics which Lord Dalgarno, 
the elder and the more experienced, thought most likely to in- 
terest his new friend. 

These naturally regarded the pleasures attending a court 
life; and Lord Dalgarno expressed much surprise at under- 
standing that Nigel proposed an instant return to Scotland. 

You are jesting with me,’’ he said. “All the court rings 
— it is needless to mince it — with the extraordinary success of 
your suit, against the highest interest, it is said, now influenc- 
ing the horizon at Whitehall. Men think of you — talk of 
you — fix their eyes on you — ask each other, ‘Who is this 
young Scottish lord, who has stepped so far in a single day?’ 
They augur, in whispers to each other, how tigh and how far 
you may push your fortune ; and all that you design to make 
of it is to return to Scotland, eat raw oatmeal cakes, baked 
upon a peat-fire, have your hand shaken by every loon of a 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


169 


blue-bonnet who chooses to dub you cousin, though your rela- 
tionship comes by Noah, drink Scots twopenny ale, eat half- 
starved red- deer venison, when you can kill it, ride upon a 
galloway, and be called ^my right honourable and maist 
worthy lord^ 

There is no great gaiety in the prospect before me, I con- 
fess,” said Lord Gleiivarloch, ‘^even if your father and good 
Master Heriot should succeed in putting my affairs on some 
footing of plausible hope. And yet I trust to do something 
for my vassals, as my ancestors before me, and to teach my 
children, as I have myself been taught, to make some personal 
sacrifices, if they be necessary, in order to maintain with dig- 
nity the situation in which they are placed by Providence.” 

Lord Dalgarno, after having once or twice stifled his laugh- 
ter during this speech, at length broke out into a fit of mirth 
so hearty and so resistless that, angry as he was, the call of 
sympathy swept Nigel along with him, and, despite of him- 
self, he could not forbear to join in a burst of laughter which 
he thought not only causeless, but almost impertinent. 

He soon recollected himself, however ; and said, in a tone 
qualified to allay Lord Dalgarno ’s et;treme mirth, “ This is 
all well, my lord; but how am I to understand your merri- 
ment?” Lord Dalgarno only answered him with redoubled 
peals of laughter, and at length held by Lord Glenvarlpch’s 
cloak, as if to prevent his falling down on the ground, in the 
extremity of his convulsion. 

At length, while Nigel stood half abashed, half angry, at 
becoming thus the subject of his new acquaintance’s ridicule, 
and was only restrained from expressing his resentment 
against the son by a sense of the obligations he owed the 
father. Lord Dalgarno recovered himself, and spoke in a half- 
broken voice, his eyes still running with tears. “ I crave your 
pardon, my dear Lord Glenvarloch — ten thousand times do I 
crave your pardon. But that last picture of rural dignity, 
accompanied by your grave and angry surprise at my laugh- 
ing at what would have made any court-bred hound laugh, 
that had but so much as bayed the moon once from the court- 
yard at Whitehall, totally overcame me. Why, my liefest 


170 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


and dearest lord, you, a young and handsome fellow, with 
high birth, a title, and the name of an estate, so well received 
by the King at your first starting as makes your further prog- 
ress scarce matter of doubt, if you know how to improve it — 
for the King has already said you are a ‘braw lad, and well 
studied in the more humane letters’ — you, too, whom all the 
women, and the very marked beauties of the court, desire 
to see, because you came from Leyden, were born in Scot- 
land, and have gained a hard-contested suit in England — you, 
I say, with a person like a prince, an eye of fire, and a wit as 
quick, to think of throwing your cards on the table when the 
game is in your very hand, running back to the frozen North, 
and marrying — ^let me see — a tall, stalking, blue-eyed, fair- 
skinned, bony wench, with eighteen quarters in her scutcheon — 
a sort of Lot’s wife, newly descended from her pedestal, and 
with her to shut yourself up in your tapestried chamber ! Uh, 
gad! Swouns, I shall never survive the idea!” 

It is seldom that youth, however high-minded, is able, from 
mere strength of character and principle, to support itself 
against the force of ridicule. Half angry, half mortified, and, 
to say truth, half ashamed of his more manly and better pur- 
pose, Nigel was unable, , and flattered himself it was unneces- 
sary, to play the part of a rigid moral patriot in presence of a 
young man whose current fluency of language, as well as his 
experience in the highest circles of society, gave him, in spite 
of Nigel’s better and firmer thoughts, a temporary ascendency 
over him. He sought, therefore, to compromise the matter, 
and avoid farther debate, by frankly owning that, if to return 
to his own country were not his choice, it was at least a matter 
of necessity. “ His affairs, ” he said, were Unsettled, his in- 
come precarious.” 

“ And where is he whose affairs are settled, or whose income 
is less than precarious, that is to be found in attendance on the 
court?” said Lord Dalgarno : “ aU are either losing or winning. 
Those who have wealth come hither to get rid of it, while the 
happy gallants who, like you and I, dear Glenvarloch, have 
little or none, have every chance to be sharers in their spoils. ” 
have no ambition of that sort,” said Nigel, ‘‘and if I 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


171 


had, I must tell you plainly, Lord Dalgarno, I have not the 
means to do so. I can scarce as yet call the suit I wear my 
own : I owe it, and I do not blush to say so, to the friendship 
of yonder good man.” 

“I will not laugh, again, if I can help it,” said Lord Dal- 
garno. “But, Lord! that you should have gone to a wealthy 
goldsmith for your habit ; why, I could have brought you to 
an honest, confiding tailor, who should have furnished you 
with half-a-dozen, merely for love of the little word ^lord’ 
which you place before your name ; and then your goldsmith, 
if he be really a friendly goldsmith, should have equipped you 
with such a purse of fair rose-nobles as would have bought 
you thrice as many suits, or done better things for you.” 

“I do not understand these fashions, my lord,” said Nigel, 
his displeasure mastering his shame ; “ were I to attend the 
court of my sovereign, it should be when I could maintain, 
without shifting or borrowing, the dress and retinue which 
my rank requires.” 

“Which my rank requires!” said Lord Dalgarno, repeating 
his last words ; “ that, now, is as good as if my father had 
spoke it. I fancy you would love to move to court with him, 
followed by a round score of old blue-bottles, with white 
heads and red noses, with bucklers and broadswords, which 
their hands, trembling betwixt age and strong waters, can 
make no use of ; as many huge silver badges on their arms, 
to show whose fools they are, as would furnish forth a court 
cupboard of plate — rogues fit for nothing but to fill our ante- 
chambers with the flavour of onions and genievre — pah!” 

“The poor knaves!” said Lord Glenvarloch; “they have 
served your father, it may be, in the wars. What would be- 
come of them were he to turn them off?” 

“ Why, let them go to the hospital,” said Dalgarno, “or to 
the bridge-end, to sell switches. The King is a better man 
than my father, and you see those who have served in his 
wars do so every day. Or, when their blue coats were well 
worn out, they would make rare scarecrows. Here is a fel- 
low, now, comes down the walk; the stoutest raven dared not 
come within a yard of that copper nose. I tell you, there is 


172 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


more service, as you will soon see, in my valet of the cham- 
ber, and such a lither lad as my page Luthin, than there is 
in a score of these old memorials of the Douglas wars, * where 
they cut each other’s throats for the chance of finding twelve 
pennies Scots on the person of the slain. Marry, my lord, to 
make amends, they will eat mouldy victuals and drink stale 
ale, as if their bellies were puncheons. But the dinner bell 
is going to sound — hark, it is clearing its rusty throat with 
a preliminary jowl. That is another clamorous relic of antiq- 
uity that, were I master, should soon be at the bottom of the 
Thames. How the foul fiend can it interest the peasants and 
mechanics in the Strand to know the Earl of Huntinglen is 
sitting down to dinner? But my father looks our way; we 
must not be late for the grace, or we shall be in c?is-grace, if 
you wiU forgive a quibble which would have made his Maj- 
esty laugh. You will find us all of a piece, and, having been 
accustomed to eat in saucers abroad, I am ashamed you should 
witness our larded capons, our mountains of beef, and oceans 
of brewis, as large as Highland hills and lochs ; but you shall 
see better cheer to-morrow. Where lodge you? I will call 
for you. I must be your guide through the peopled desert to 
certain enchanted lands, which you will scarce discover with- 
out chart and pilot. Where lodge you?” 

“ I will meet you in Paul’s,” said Nigel, a good deal embar- 
rassed, “ at any hour you please to name.” 

‘^Oh, you would be private,” said the young lord. “Nay, 
fear not me — I will be no intruder. But we have attained 
this huge larder of fiesh, fowl, and fish. I marvel the oaken 
boards groan not under it.” 

They had indeed arrived in the dining-parlour of the man- 
sion, where the table was superabundantly loaded, and where 
the number of attendants to a certain extent vindicated the 
sarcasms of the young nobleman. The chaplain and Sir 
Mungo Malagrowther were of the party. The latter compli- 
mented Lord Glenvarloch upon the impression he had made 
at court. “ One would have thought ye had brought the apple 
of discord in your pouch, my lord, or that you were the very 
1 See Note 17. 


fHE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


173 


firebrand of whilk Althea was delivered, and that she had lain- 
in in a barrel of gunpowder; for the King, and the Prince, 
and the Duke have been by the lugs about ye, and so have 
many more, that kenn’dna before this blessed day that there 
was such a man living on the face of the earth.” 

‘‘ Mind your victuals. Sir Mungo, ” said the earl ; “ they get 
cold while you talk.” 

“Troth, and that needsna, my lord,” said the knight; 
“your lordship’s dinners seldom scald one’s mouth: the serv- 
ing-men are turning auld, like oursells, my lord, and it is far 
between the kitchen and the ha’.” 

With this little explosion of his spleen. Sir Mungo remained 
satisfied, until the dishes were removed, when, fixing his eyes 
on the brave new doublet of Lord Dalgarno, he complimented 
him on his economy, pretending to recognise it as the same 
which his father had worn in Edinburgh in the Spanish ambas- 
sador’s time. Lord Dalgarno, too much a man of the worl^ to 
be moved by anything from such a quarter, proceeded to crack 
some nuts with great deliberation, as he replied, that “ The 
doublet was in some sort his father’s, as it was likely to cost 
him fifty pounds some day soon. ” Sir Mungo forthwith pro- 
ceeded in his own way to convey this agreeable intelligence to 
the earl, observing, that “ His son was a better maker of bar- 
gains than his lordship, for he had bought a doublet as rich 
as that his lordship wore when the Spanish ambassador was 
at Holyrood, and it had cost him but fifty pounds Scots.” 
— “That was no fool’s bargain, my lord.” 

“Pounds sterling, if you please. Sir Mungo,” answered the 
earl, calmly; “and a fool’s bargain it is, in all the tenses. 
Dalgarno a fool when he bought; I will be a fool when I 
pay ; and you. Sir Mungo, craving your pardon, are a fool in 
proesenti for speaking of what concerns you not.” 

So saying, the earl addressed himself to the serious busi- 
ness of the table, and sent the wine around with a profusion 
which increased the hilarity, but rather threatened the tem- 
perance, of the company, until their joviality was interrupted 
by the annunciation that the scrivener had engrossed such 
deeds as required to be presently executed. 


174 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


George Heriot rose from the table, observing, that wine- 
cups and legal documents were unseemly neighbours. The 
earl asked the scrivener if they had laid a trencher and set a 
cup for him in the buttery; and received the respectful an- 
swer, that Heaven forbid he should be such an ungracious 
beast as to eat or drink until his lordship’s pleasure was per- 
formed. ” 

Thou shalt eat before thou goest, ” said Lord Huntinglen ; 
“ and I will have thee try, moreover, whether a ciip of sack 
cannot bring some colour into these cheeks of thine. It were 
a shame to my household, thou shouldst glide out into the 
Strand after such a spectre-fashion as thou now wearest. 
Look to it, Dalgarno, for the honour of our roof is con- 
cerned.” 

Lord Dalgarno gave directions that the man should be at- 
tended to. Lord Glenvarloch and the citizen, in the mean- 
> while, signed and interchanged, and thus closed a transaction 
of which the principal party concerned understood little, save 
that it was under the management of a zealous and faithful 
friend, who undertook that the money should be forthcoming, 
and the estate released from forfeiture, by payment of the 
stipulated sum for which it stood pledged, and that at the 
term of Lambmas, and at the hour of noon, and beside the 
tomb of the Regent Earl of Murray, in the High Kirk of St. 
Giles, at Edinburgh, being the day and place assigned for 
such redemption. ’ 

When this business was transacted, the old earl would fain 
have renewed his carouse ; but the citizen, alleging the impor- 
tance of the deeds he had about him, and the business he had 
to transact betimes the next morning, not only refused to re- 
turn to table, but carried with him to his barge Lord Glen- 
varloch, who might, perhaps, have been otherwise found more 
tractable. 

When they were seated in the boat, and fairly once more 
afloat on the river, George Heriot looked back seriously on the 

1 As each covenant in those days of accuracy had a special place nomi- 
nated for execution, the tomb of the Regent Earl of Murray in St. Giles’s 
church was frequently assigned for the purpose. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


176 


mansion they had left. “ There live, ’’ he said, “ the old 
fashion and the new. The father is like a noble old broad- 
sword, but harmed with rust, from neglect and inactivity ; the 
son is your modern rapier, well-mounted, fairly gilt, and fash- 
ioned to the taste of the time — and it is time must evince if 
the metal be as good as the show. God grant it prove so, 
says an old friend to the family.” 

Nothing of consequence passed betwixt them, until Lord 
Glenvarloch, landing at PauUs Wharf, took leave of his friend 
the citizen, and retired to his own apartment; where his at- 
tendant, Richie, not a little elevated with the events of the 
day, and with the hospitality of Lord Huntinglen’s house- 
keeping, gave a most splendid account of them to the buxom 
Dame Nelly, who rejoiced to hear that the sun at length was 
shining upon what Richie called the right side of the hedge. ” 


CHAPTER XI. 


You are not for the manner nor the times. 

They have their vices now most like to virtues ; 
You cannot know them apart by any difference. 
They wear the same clothes, eat the same meat, 
Sleep i’ the self-same beds, ride in those coaches. 
Or, very like, four horses in a coach. 

As the best men and women. 


Ben Jonson. 


On the following morning, while Nigel, his breakfast fin- 
ished, was thinking how he should employ the day, there was 
a little bustle upon the stairs which attracted his attention, 
and presently entered Dame Nelly, blushing like scarlet and 
scarce able to bring out : “ A young nobleman, sir ; no one 
less,” she added, drawing her hand slightly over her lips, 
‘‘would be so saucy — a young nobleman, sir, to wait on you!” 

And she was followed into the little cabin by Lord Dal- 
garno, gay, easy, disembarrassed, and apparently as much 
pleased to rejoin his new acquaintance as if he had found him 
in the apartments of a palace. Nigel, on the contrary, for 


176 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


youth is slave to such circumstances, was discountenanced and 
mortified at being surprised by so splendid a gallant in a 
chamber which, at the moment the elegant and high-dressed 
cavalier appeared in it, seemed to its inhabitant yet lower, nar- 
rower, darker, and meaner than it had ever shown before. He 
would have made some apology for the situation, but Lord Dal- 
garno cut him short. 

^‘Not a word of it,” he said — ‘‘not a single word. I know 
why you ride at anchor here; but I can keep counsel — so 
pretty a hostess would recommend worse quarters.” 

“ On my word — on my honour, ” said Lord Glenvarloch 

“Nay — nay, make no words of the matter,” said Lord Dal- 
garno. “ I am no tell-tale, nor shall I cross your walk ; there 
is game enough in the forest, thank Heaven, and I can strike 
a doe for myself.” 

All this he said in so significant a manner, and the expla- 
nation which he had adopted seemed to put Lord Glenvar- 
loch’s gallantry on so respectable a footing, that Nigel ceased 
to try to undeceive him; and less ashamed, perhaps (for such 
is human weakness), of supposed vice than of real poverty, 
changed the discourse to something else, and left poor Dame 
Nelly’s reputation and his own at the mercy of the young 
courtier’s misconstruction. 

He offered refreshments with some hesitation. Lord Dal- 
garno had long since breakfasted, but had just come from 
playing a set of tennis, he said, and would willingly taste a 
cup of the pretty hostess’s single beer. This was easily pro- 
cured, was drunk, was commended, and, as the hostess failed 
not to bring the cup herself. Lord Dalgarno profited by the 
opportunity to take a second and more attentive view of her, 
and then gravely drank to her husband’s health, with an almost 
imperceptible nod to Lord Glenvarloch. Dame Nelly was 
much honoured, smoothed her apron down with her hands, and 
said: “Her John was greatly and truly honoured by their 
lordships ; he was a kind, painstaking man for his family as 
was in the alley, or indeed as far north as Paul’s Chain.” 

She would have proceeded probably to state the difference 
betwixt their ages, as the only alloy to their nuptial happiness ; 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


177 


but her lodger, who had no mind to be farther exposed to his 
gay friend’s raillery, gave her, contrary to his wont, a signal 
to leave the room. 

Lord Dalgarno looked after her, then looked at Glenvarloch, 
shook his head, and repeated the well-known lines : 

“ My lord, beware of jealousy ; 

It is the green-eyed monster which doth make 
The meat it feeds on. 

But come, ” he said, changing his tone, “ I know not why 
I should worry you thus — I who have so many follies of my 
own — when I should rather make excuse for being here at 
all, and tell you wherefore I came.” 

So saying, he reached a seat, and, placing another for Lord 
Glenvarloch, in spite of his anxious haste to anticipate this 
act of courtesy, he proceeded in the same tone of easy famil- 
iarity : 

“We are neighbours, my lord, and are just made known to 
each other. Now, I know enough of the dear North to be 
well aware that Scottish neighbours must be either dear 
friends or deadly enemies — must either walk hand-in-hand or 
stand sword-point to sword-point; so I choose the hand-in- 
hand, unless you should reject my proffer.” 

“ How were it possible, my lord, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, 
“ to refuse what is offered so frankly, even if your father had 
not been a second father to me?” And, as he took Lord Dal- 
garno ’s hand, he added : “ I have, I think, lost no time, since, 
during one day’s attendance at court, I have made a kind 
friend and a powerful enemy.” 

“ The friend thanks you, ” replied Lord Dalgarno, “ for your 
just opinion; but, my dear Glenvarloch — or rather, for titles 
are too formal between us of the better file, what is your 
Christian name?” 

“Nigel,” replied Lord Glenvarloch. 

“Then we will be Nigel and Malcolm to each other,” said 
his visitor, “and my lord to the plebeian world around 
us. But I was about to ask you whom you supposed your 
enemy?” 


12 


178 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ No less than the all-powerful favourite, the great Duke 
of Buckingham/’ 

You dream ! What could possess you with such an opin- 
ion?” said Dalgarno. 

He told me so himself, ” replied Glenvarloch ; “ and, in so 
doing, dealt frankly and honourably with me.” 

“Oh, you know him not yet,” said his companion; “the 
duke is moulded of an hundred noble and fiery qualities, that 
prompt him, like a generous horse, to spring aside in impa- 
tience at the least obstacle to his forward course. But he 
means not what he says in such passing heats. I can do 
more with him, I thank Heaven, than most who are around 
him; you shall go visit him with me, and you will see how 
you shall be received.” 

“ I told you, my lord, ” said Glenvarloch, firmly, and with 
some haughtiness, “the Duke of Buckingham, without the 
least offence, declared himself my enemy in the face of the 
court, and he shall retract that aggression as publicly as 
it was given, ere I will make the slightest advance towards 
him.” 

“ You would act becomingly in every other case, ” said Lord 
Dalgarno, “ but here you are wrong. In the court horizon, 
Buckingham is lord of the ascendant, and as he is adverse or 
favouring, so sinks or rises the fortune of a suitor. The King 
would bid you remember your Phsedrus — 

Arripiens geminas, ripis cedentibus, ollas 

and so forth. You are the vase of earth ; beware of knocking 
yourself against the vase of iron.” 

“ The vase of earth,” said Glenvarloch, “will avoid the en- 
counter, by getting ashore out of the current : I mean to go 
no more to court.” 

“ Oh, to court you necessarily must go ; you will find your 
Scottish suit move ill without it, for there is both patronage 
and favour necessary to enforce the sign-manual you have ob- 
tained. Of that we will speak more hereafter ; but tell me in 
the mean while, my dear Nigel, whether you did not wonder to 
see me here so early?” 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


179 


“ I am surprised that you could find me out in this obscure 
corner, ” said Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ My page Lutin is a very devil for that sort of discovery, ” 
replied Lord Dalgarno. “ I have but to say, ‘Goblin, I would 
know where he or she dwells, ^ and he guides me thither as if 
by art magic.” 

“ I hope he waits not now in the street, my lord, ” said 
Nigel. “ I will send my servant to seek him.” 

“ Do not concern yourself ; he is by this time, ” said Lord 
Dalgarno, “ playing at hustle-cap and chuck-farthing with the 
most blackguard imps upon the wharf, unless he hath foregone 
his old customs.” 

“ Are you not afraid, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ that in such 
company his morals may become depraved?” 

“ Let his company look to their own, ” answered Lord Dal- 
garno, coolly ; “ for it will be a company of real fiends in 
which Lutin cannot teach more mischief than he can learn : 
he is, I thank the gods, most thoroughly versed in evil for 
his years. I am spared the trouble of looking after his 
moralities, for nothing can make them either better or 
worse.” 

“ I wonder you can answer this to his parents, my lord, ” 
said Nigel. 

“I wonder where I should find his parents,” replied his 
companion, “to render an account to them.” 

“He may be an orphan,” said Lord Nigel; “but surely, 
being a page in your lordship’s family, his parents must be 
of rank.” 

“Of as high rank as the gallows could exalt them to,” re- 
plied Lord Dalgarno, with the same indifference ; “ they were 
both hanged, I believe — at least the gipsies, from whom I 
bought him five years ago, intimated as much to me. You 
are surprised at this, now. But is it not better that, instead 
of a lazy, conceited, whey-faced slip of gentility, to whom, in 
your old-world idea of the matter, I was bound to stand Sir 
Pedagogue, and see that he washed his hands and face, said 
his prayers, learned his accidens^ spoke no naughty words, 
brushed his hat, and wore his best doublet only on Sunday — 


180 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


that, instead of such a Jacky Goodchild, I should have some- 
thing like this?’’ 

He whistled shrill and clear, and the page he spoke of 
darted into the room, almost with the effect of an actual ap- 
parition. From his height he seemed but fifteen, but, from his 
face, might be two or even three years older, very neatly made 
and richly dressed ; with a thin bronzed visage, which marked 
his gipsy descent, and a pair of sparkling black eyes, which 
seemed almost to pierce through those whom he looked at. 

“ There he is, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ fit for every element ; 
prompt to execute every command, good, bad, or indifferent; 
unmatched in his tribe as rogue, thief, and liar.” 

“ All which qualities, ” said the undaunted page, “ have each 
in turn stood your lordship in stead. ” 

“ Out, you imp of Satan !” said his master — “ vanish — be- 
gone — or my conjuring-rod goes about your ears.” The boy 
turned, and disappeared as suddenly as he had entered. 
‘‘ You see, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ that, in choosing my house- 
hold, the best regard I can pay to gentle blood is to exclude 
it from my service: that very gallows-bird were enough to 
corrupt a whole ante-chamber of pages, ^ though they were de- 
scended from kings and kaisers.” 

“ I can scarce think that a nobleman should need the offices 
of such an attendant as your goblin, ” said Nigel ; you are 
but jesting with my inexperience.” 

“Time will show whether I jest or not, my dear Nigel,” 
replied Dalgarno ; “ in the mean time, I have to propose to you 
to take the advantage of the flood- tide, to run up the river for 
pastime ; and at noon I trust you will dine with me. ” 

Nigel acquiesced in a plan which promised so much amuse- 
ment; and his new friend and he, attended by- Lutin and 
Monoplies, who greatly resembled, when thus associated, the 
conjunction of a bear and a monkey, took possession of Lord 
Dalgarno’ s wherry, which, with its badged watermen, bearing 
his lordship’s crest on their arms, lay in readiness to receive 
them. The air was delightful upon the river, and the lively 
conversation of Lord Dalgarno added zest to the pleasures of 
* See Note 18. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


181 


the little voyage. He could not only give an account of the 
various public buildings and noblemen’s houses which they 
passed in ascending the Thames, but knew how to season his 
information with abundance of anecdote, political innuendo, 
and personal scandal ; if he had not very much wit, he was at 
least completely master of the fashionable tone which in that 
time, as in ours, more than amply supplies any deficiency of 
the kind. 

It was a style of conversation entirely new to his compan- 
ion, as was the world which Lord Dalgarno opened to his ob- 
servation; and it is no wonder that Nigel, notwithstanding 
his natural good sense and high spirit, admitted, more readily 
than seemed consistent with either, the tone of authorita- 
tive instruction which his new friend assumed towards him. 
There would, indeed, have been some difficulty in making a 
stand. To attempt a high and stubborn tone of morality, in 
answer to the light strain of Lord Dalgarno’ s conversation, 
which kept on the frontiers between jest and earnest, would 
have seemed pedantic and ridiculous; and every attempt 
which Nigel made to combat his companion’s propositions, 
by reasoning as jocose as his own, only showed his inferiority 
in that gay species of controversy. And it must be owned be- 
sides, though internally disapproving much of what he heard. 
Lord Glenvarloch, young as he was in society, became less 
alarmed by the language and manners of his new associate 
than in prudence he ought to have been. 

Lord Dalgarho was unwilling to startle his proselyte by in- 
sisting upon any topic which appeared particularly to jar with 
his habits or principles ; and he blended his mirth and his 
earnest so dexterously, that it was impossible for Nigel to dis- 
cover how far he was serious in his propositions, or how far 
they flowed from a wild and extravagant spirit of raillery. 
And, ever and anon, those flashes of spirit and honour crossed 
his conversation, which seemed to intimate that, when stirred 
to action by some adequate motive. Lord Dalgarno would 
prove something very different from the court-haunting and 
ease-loving voluptuary which he was pleased to represent as 
his chosen character. 


182 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


As they returned down the river, Lord Glenvarloch remarked 
that the boat passed the mansion of Lord Huntinglen, and 
noticed the circumstance to Lord Dalgarno, observing, that he 
thought they were to have dined there. “ Surely no, ” said 
the young nobleman, “I have more mercy on you than to 
gorge you a second time with raw beef and canary wine. I 
propose something better for you, I promise you, than such a 
second Scythian festivity. And as for my father, he proposes 
to dine to-day with my grave, ancient Earl of Northampton, 
whilome that celebrated putter-down of pretended prophecies. 
Lord Henry Howard.’’ ’ 

‘‘And do you not go with him?” said his companion. 

“ To what purpose?” said Lord Dalgarno. “ To hear his 
wise lordship speak musty politics in false Latin, which the 
old fox always uses, that he may give the learned Majesty of 
England an opportunity of correcting his slips in grammar? 
That were a rare employment!” 

“Nay,” said Lord Nigel, “but out of respect, to wait on 
my lord your father. ” 

“ My lord my father, ” replied Lord Dalgarno, “ has blue- 
bottles enough to wait on him, and can well dispense with 
such a butterfly as myself. He can lift the cup of sack to 
his head without my assistance ; and, should the said paternal 
head turn something giddy, there be men enough to guide his 
right honourable lordship to his lordship’s right honourable 
couch. Now, do not stare at me, Nigel, as if my words were 
to sink the boat with us. I love my father — I love him 
dearly — and I respect him, too, though I respect not many 
things; a trustier old Trojan never belted a broadsword by a 
loop of leather. But what then? He belongs to the old 
world, I to the new. He has his follies, I have mine ; and 
the less either of us sees of the other’s peccadilloes, the 
greater will be the honour and respect — that, I think, is the 
proper phrase — I say the respect in which we shall hold each 
other. Being apart, each of us is himself, such as nature 
and circumstances have made him; but, couple us up too 
closely together, you will be sure to have in your leash either 
* See Note 19. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


183 


an old hypocrite or a young one, or perhaps both the one and 
t’other.’’ 

As he spoke thus, the boat put into the landing-place at 
Blackfriars. Lord Dalgarno sprung ashore, and, flinging his 
cloak and rapier to his page, recommended to his companion 
to do the like. ‘‘We are coming among a press of gallants,” 
he said ; “ and, if we walk thus muffled, we shall look like 
your tawny-visaged Don, who wraps him close in his cloak 
to conceal the defects of his doublet.” 

“ I have known many an honest man do that, if it please 
your lordship,” said Richie Moniplies, who had been watch- 
ing for an opportunity to intrude himself on the conversation, 
and probably remembered what had been his own condition, 
in respect to cloak and doublet, at a very recent period. 

Lord Dalgarno stared at him, as if surprised at his assur- 
ance; but immediately answered: “You may have known 
many things, friend ; but, in the mean while, you do not know 
what principally concerns your master, namely, how to carry 
his cloak, so as to show to advantage the gold-laced seams 
and the lining of sables. See how Lutin holds the sword, 
with the cloak cast partly over it, yet so as to set off the em- 
bossed hilt and the silver work of the mounting. Give your 
familiar your sword, Nigel,” he continued, addressing Lord 
Glenvarloch, “that he may practise a lesson in an art so 
necessary. ” 

“Is it altogether prudent,” said Nigel, unclasping his 
weapon and giving it to Richie, “to walk entirely unarmed?” 

“And wherefore not?” said his companion. “You are 
thinking now of Auld Reekie, as my father fondly calls your 
good Scottish capital, where there is such bandying of private 
feuds and public factions that a man of any note shall not 
cross your High Street twice without endangering his life 
thrice.’ Here, sir, no brawling in the street is permitted. 
Your bull-headed citizen takes up the case so soon as the 
sword is drawn, and ‘clubs’ is the word.” 

“And a hard word it is,” said Richie, “as my brain-pan 
kens at this blessed moment.” 

* See Skirmishes in the Public Streets. Note 20. 


184 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


"Were I your ruaster, sirrah,” said Lord Dalgarno, “I 
would make your brain-pan, as you call it, boil over, were 
you to speak a word in my presence before you were spoken to.” 

Richie murmured some indistinct answer, but took the hint, 
and ranked himself behind his master along with Lutin, who 
failed not to expose his new companion to the ridicule of the 
passers-by, by mimicking, as often as he could do so unob- 
served by Richie, his stiff and upright stalking gait and dis- 
contented physiognomy. 

“And tell me now, my dear Malcolm,” said Nigel, “where 
we are bending our course, and whether we shall dine at an 
apartment of yours?” 

“An apartment of mine! Yes, surely,” answered Lord 
Dalgarno, “ you shall dine at an apartment of mine, and an 
apartment of yours, and of twenty gallants besides; and 
where the board shall present better cheer, better wine, and 
better attendance than if our whole united exhibitions went to 
maintain it. We are going to the most noted ordinary of 
London. ” 

“That is, in common language, an inn, or a tavern?” said 
Nigel. 

“An inn, or a tavern, my most green and simple friend!” 
exclaimed Lord Dalgarno. “ No, no — these are places where 
greasy citizens take pipe and pot, where the knavish petti- 
foggers of the law spunge on their most unhappy victims, 
where Templars crack jests as empty as their nuts, and where 
small gentry imbibe such thin potations that they get dropsies 
instead of getting drunk. An ordinary is a late invented in- 
stitution, sacred to Bacchus and Comus, where the choicest 
noble gallants of the time meet with the first and most ethereal 
wits of the age ; where the wine is the very soul of the choicest 
grape, refined as the genius of the poet, and ancient and gen- 
erous as the blood of the nobles. And then the fare is some- 
thing beyond your ordinary gross terrestrial food ! Sea and 
land are ransacked to supply it; and the invention of six 
ingenious cooks kept eternally upon the rack to make their 
art hold pace with, and if possible enhance, the exquisite 
quality of the materials.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


185 


“ By all which rhapsody, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ I can 
only understand, as I did before, that we are going to a choice 
tavern, where we shall be handsomely entertained, on paying 
probably as handsome a reckoning.” 

“Reckoning!” exclaimed Lord Dalgarno in the same tone 
as before, “ perish the peasantly phrase ! What profanation ! 
Monsieur le Chevalier de Beaujeu, pink of Paris and flower 
of Gascony — he who can tell the age of his wine by the bare 
smell — who distils his sauces in an alembic by the aid of 
Lully’s philosophy — who carves with such exquisite precision, 
that he gives to noble, knight, and squire the portion of the 
pheasant which exactly accords with his rank — nay, he who 
shall divide a beccafico into twelve parts with such scrupulous 
exactness, that of twelve guests not one shall have the advan- 
tage of the other in a hair’s-breadth, or the twentieth part of 
a drachm, yet you talk of him and of a reckoning in the same 
breath ! Why, man, he is the well-known and general referee 
in all matters affecting the mysteries of passage, hazard, in- 
and-in, penneech, and verquere, and what not. Why, Beau- 
jeu is king of the card-pack, and duke of the dice-box — he 
call a reckoning like a green-aproned, red-nosed son of the 
vulgar spigot! Oh, my dearest Nigel, what a word you have 
spoken, and of what a person! That you know him not is 
your only apology for such blasphemy ; and yet I scarce hold 
it adequate, for to have been a day in London and not to 
know Beaujeu is a crime of its own kind. But you shall know 
him this blessed moment, and shall learn to hold yourself in 
horror for the enormities you have uttered.” 

“Well, but mark you,” said Nigel, “this worthy chevalier 
keeps not all this good cheer at his own cost, does he?” 

“No — no,” answered Lord Dalgarno; “there is a sort of 
ceremony which my chevalier’s friends and intimates under- 
stand, but with which you have no business at present. 
There is, as Majesty might say, a symholum to be disbursed — 
in other words, a mutual exchange of courtesies takes place 
betwixt Beaujeu and his guests. He makes them a free pres- 
ent of the dinner and wine, as often as they choose to consult 
their own felicity by frequenting his house at the hour of 


186 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


noon, and they, in gratitude, make the chevalier a present of 
a Jacobus. Then you must know that, besides Comus and 
Bacchus, that princess of sublunary affairs, the Diva Fortuna, 
is frequently worshipped at Beaujeu’s, and he, as officiating 
high priest, hath, as in reason he should, a considerable ad- 
vantage from a share of the sacrifice.” 

“ In other words, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ this man keeps 
a gaming-house.” 

“A house in which you may certainly game,” said Lord 
Dalgarno, “ as you may in your own chamber, if you have a 
mind; nay, I remember old Tom Tally played a hand at put 
for a wager with Quinze le Va, the Frenchman, during morn- 
ing prayers in St. Paulas; the morning was misty, and the 
parson drowsy, and the whole audience consisted of them- 
selves and a blind woman, and so they escaped detection.” 

“ For all this, Malcolm, ” said the young lord, gravely, “ I 
cannot dine with you to-day at this same ordinary.” 

“ And wherefore, in the name of Heaven, should you draw 
back from your word?” said Lord Dalgarno. 

I do not retract my word, Malcolm ; but I am bound, by 
an early promise to my father, never to enter the doors of a 
gaming-house.” 

“ I teU you this is none, ” said Lord Dalgarno ; it is but, in 
plain terms, an eating-house, arranged on civiller terms, and 
frequented by better company, than others in this town ; and 
if some of them do amuse themselves with cards and hazard, 
they are men of honour, and who play as such, and for no 
more than they can well afford to lose. It was not, and could 
not be such houses that your father desired you to avoid. Be- 
sides, he might as well have made you swear you would never 
take the accommodation of an inn, tavern, eating-house, or 
place of public reception of any kind; for there is no such 
place of public resort but where your eyes may be contami- 
nated by the sight of a pack of pieces of painted pasteboard, 
and your ears profaned by the rattle of those little spotted 
cubes of ivory. The difference is, that where we go we may 
happen to see persons of quality amusing themselves with a 
game ; and in the ordinary houses you will meet bullies and 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


187 


sharpers, who will strive either to cheat or to swagger you out 
of your money.” 

I am sure you would not willingly lead me to do what is 
wrong,” said Nigel; “but my father had a horror of games of 
chance, religious I believe, as well as prudential. He judged, 
from I know not what circumstance, a fallacious one I should 
hope, that I had a propensity to such courses, and I have told 
you the promise which he exacted from me. ” 

“ Now, by my honour, ” said Dalgarno, “ what you have said 
affords the strongest reason for my insisting that you go with 
me. A man who would shun any danger should first become 
acquainted with its real bearing and extent, and that in the 
company of a confidential guide and guard. Do you think I 
myself game? Good faith, my father’s oaks grow too far 
from London, and stand too fast rooted in the rocks of Perth- 
shire, for me to troll them down with a die, though I have 
seen whole forests go down like nine-pins. No, no — these 
are sports for the wealthy Southron, not for the poor Scot- 
tish noble. The place is an eating-house, and as such you 
and I will use it. If others use it to game in, it is their 
fault, but neither that of the house nor ours.” 

Unsatisfied with this reasoning, Nigel still insisted upon 
the promise he had given to his father, until his companion 
appeared rather displeased, and disposed to impute to him in- 
jurious and unhandsome suspicions. Lord Glenvarloch could 
not stand this change of tone. He recollected that much was 
due from him to Lord Dalgarno, on account of his father’s 
steady and efficient friendship, and something also on account 
of the frank manner in which the young man himself had 
offered him his intimacy. He had no reason to doubt his as- 
surances that the house where they were about to dine did not 
fall under the description of places to which his father’s pro- 
hibition referred ; and finally, he was strong in his own reso- 
lution to resist every temptation to join in games of chance. 
He therefore pacified Lord Dalgarno by intimating his will- 
ingness to go along with him; and the good-humour of the 
young courtier instantaneously returning, he again ran on in 
a grotesque and rodomontade account of the host, Monsieur de 


188 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Beaujeu, which he did not conclude until they had reached the 
temple of hospitality over which that eminent professor pre- 
sided. 


CHAPTER XII. 

This is the very barn-yard, 

Where muster daily the prime cocks o’ the game, 

Ruffle their pinions, crow till they are hoarse. 

And spar about a barleycorn. Here too chickens. 

The callow, unfledged brood of forward folly, 

Learn first to rear the crest and aim the spur. 

And tune their note like full-plumed chanticleer. 

The Bear-Garden. 

The ordinary, now an ignoble sound, was, in the days of 
James, a new institution, as fashionable among the youth of 
that age as the first-rate modern club-houses are amongst those 
of the present day. It differed chiefly in being open to all 
whom good clothes and good assurance combined to introduce 
there. The company usually dined together at an hour fixed, 
and the manager of the establishment presided as master of 
the ceremonies. 

Monsieur le Chevalier (as he qualified himself) St. -Priest 
de Beaujeu was a sharp, thin Gascon, about sixty years old, 
banished from his own country, as he said, on account of an 
affair of honour, in which he had the misfortune to kill his 
antagonist, though the best swordsman in the south of France. 
His pretensions to quality were supported by a feathered hat, 
a long rapier, and a suit of embroidered taffeta, not much the 
worse for wear, in the extreme fashion of the Parisian court, 
and fluttering like a Maypole with many knots of ribbon, of 
which it was computed he bore at least five hundred yards 
about his person. But, notwithstanding this profusion of dec- 
oration, there were many who thought Monsieur le Chevalier 
so admirably calculated for his present situation that nature 
could never have meant to place him an inch above it. It 
was, however, part of the amusement of the place for Lord 
Dalgarno and other young men of quality to treat Monsieur de 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


189 


Beaujeu with a great deal of mock ceremony, which being ob- 
served by the herd of more ordinary and simple gulls, they 
paid him, in clumsy imitation, much real deference. The 
Gascon’s natural forwardness being much enhanced by these 
circumstances, he was often guilty of presuming beyond the 
limits of his situation, and of course had sometimes the morti- 
fication to be disagreeably driven back into them. 

When Nigel entered the mansion of this eminent person, 
which had been but of late the residence of a great baron of 
Queen Elizabeth’s court, who had retired to his manors in the 
country on the death of that princess, he was surprised at the 
extent of the accommodation which it afforded, and the num- 
ber of guests who were already assembled. Feathers waved, 
spurs jingled, lace and embroidery glanced everywhere; and, 
at first sight at least, it certainly made good Lord Dalgarno’s 
encomium, who represented the company as composed almost 
entirely of youth of the first quality. A more close review 
was not quite so favourable. Several individuals might be 
discovered who were not exactly at their ease in the splendid 
dresses which they wore, and who, therefore, might be sup- 
posed not habitually familiar with such finery. Again, there 
were others whose dress, though on a general view it did not 
seem inferior to that of the rest of the company, displayed, 
on being observed more closely, some of those petty expedi- 
ents by which vanity endeavours to disguise poverty. 

Nigel had very little time to make such observations, for 
the entrance of Lord Dalgarno created an immediate bustle 
and sensation among the company, as his name passed from 
one mouth to another. Some stood forward to gaze, others 
stood back to make way ; those of his own rank hastened to 
welcome him ; those of inferior degree endeavoured to catch 
some point of his gesture, or of his dress, to be worn and 
practised upon a future occasion, as the newest and most au- 
thentic fashion. 

The genius loci^ the chevalier himself, was not the last to 
welcome this prime stay and ornament of his establishment. 
He came shuffling forward with a hundred apish conges and 
chers milors, ” to express his happiness at seeing Lord Dah 


190 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


gal’no again. “ I hope you do bring back the sun with you, 
milor. You did carry away the sun and moon from your 
pauvre chevalier when you leave him for so long. Pardieu, I 
believe you take them away in your pockets.’^ 

“ That must have been because you left me nothing else in 
them, chevalier,” answered Lord Dalgarno; “but. Monsieur 
le Chevalier, I pray you to know my countryman and friend. 
Lord Glenvarloch. ” 

“ Ah, ha ! tres honore. Je m’en souviens — oui. J^ai connu 
autrefois un Milor Kenfarloque en Ecosse. Yes, I have memory 
of him — le p^re de milor apparemment — we were vera intimate 
when I was at Oly Root with Monsieur de la Motte. I did 
often play at tennis vit Milor Kenfarloque at L’Abbaie d’Oly 
Root; il etoit m§me plus fort que moi. Ah le beau coup de 
revers quTl avoit! I have memory, too, that he was among 
the pretty girls — ah, un vrai diable dechaine. Aha! I have 
memory ” 

“ Better have no more memory of the late Lord Glenvar- 
loch, ” said Lord Dalgarno, interrupting the chevalier without 
ceremony, who perceived that the encomium which he was 
about to pass on the deceased was likely to be as disagreeable 
to the son as it was totally undeserved by the father, who, far 
being either a gamester or libertine, as the chevalier’s remi- 
niscences falsely represented him, was, on the contrary, strict 
and severe in his course of life, almost to the extent of rigour. 

“ You have the reason, milor, ” answered the chevalier — 
“ you have the right. Qu’est ce que nous avons a faire avec 
le temps passe? The time passed did belong to our fathers — 
our anc§tres — very well, the time present is to us ; they have ' 
their pretty tombs, with their memories and armorials, all in 
brass and marbre; we have the petits plats exquis, and the 
soupe-a-chevalier, which I will cause to mount up immedi- 
ately.” 

So saying, he made a pirouette on his heel, and put his at- 
tendants in motion to place dinner on the table. Dalgarno 
laughed, and, observing his young friend looked grave, said 
to him, in a tone of reproach, “ Why, what ! you are not gull 
enough to be angry with such an ass as that?” 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


191 


“ I keep my anger, I trust, for better purposes, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch ; but I confess I was moved to hear such a fel- 
low mention my father’s name; and you, too, who told me 
this was no gaming-house, talked to him of having left it with 
emptied pockets.” 

Pshaw, man!” said Lord Dalgarno, “I spoke but accord- 
ing to the trick of the time ; besides, a man must set a piece 
or two sometimes, or he would be held a cullionly niggard. 
But here comes dinner, and we will see whether you like the 
chevalier’s good cheer better than his conversation.” 

Dinner was announced accordingly, and the two friends, 
being seated in the most honourable station at the board, were 
ceremoniously attended to by the chevalier, who did the hon- 
ours of his table to them and to the other guests, and seasoned 
the whole with his agreeable conversation. The dinner was 
really excellent, in that piquant style of cookery which the 
French had already introduced, and which the home-bred 
young men of England, when they aspired to the rank of con- 
noisseurs and persons of taste, were under the necessity of ad- 
miring. The wine was also of the first quality, and circulated 
in great variety and no less abundance. The conversation 
among so many young men was, of course, light, lively, and 
amusing; and Nigel, whose mind had been long depressed by 
anxiety and misfortune, naturally found himself at ease, and 
his spirits raised and animated. 

Some of the company had real wit, and could use it both 
politely and to advantage; others were coxcombs, and were 
laughed at without discovering it; and, again, others were 
originals, who seemed to have no objection that the company 
should be amused with their folly instead of their wit. And 
almost all the rest who played any prominent part in the con- 
versation had either the real tone of good society which be- 
longed to the period, or the jargon which often passes current 
for it. 

In short, the company and conversation was so agreeable, 
that Nigel’s rigour was softened by it, even towards the mas- 
ter of ceremonies, and he listened with patience to various 
details which the Chevalier de Beaujeu, seeing, as he said. 


192 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


that milords taste lay for the curieux and Vutile, chose to 
address to him in particular on the subject of cookery. To 
gratify, at the same time, the taste for antiquity, which he 
somehow supposed that his new guest possessed, he launched 
out in commendation of the great artists of former days, par- 
ticularly one whom he had known in his youth, “ Maitre de 
cuisine to the Marechal Strozzi — tres bon gentilhomme pour- 
tant,’^ who had maintained his master^s table with twelve 
covers every day during the long and severe blockade of le 
petit Leyth, although he had nothing better to place on it than 
the quarter of a carrion-horse now and then, and the grass and 
weeds that grew on the ramparts. “ Despardieux c^etoit un 
homme superbe! With one tistle-head and a nettle or two he 
could make a soupe for twenty guests ; an haunch of a little 
puppy-dog made a roti des plus excellens ; but his coup de 
maitre was when the rendition — what you call the surrender — 
took place and appened; and then, dieu me damme, he made 
out of the hind quarter of one salted horse forty -five converts, 
that the English and Scottish officers and nobility, who had 
the honour to dine with Monseigneur upon the rendition, could 
not tell what the devil any one of them were made upon at 
all.” ^ 

The good wine had by this time gone so merrily round, and 
had such genial effect on the guests, that those of the lower 
end of the table, who had hitherto been listeners, began, not 
greatly to their own credit or that of the ordinary, to make 
innovations. 

You speak of the siege of Leith, ” said a tall, raw-boned 
man, with thick mustachios turned up with a military twist, 
a broad buff belt, a long rapier, and other outward symbols of 
the honoured profession which lives by killing other people — 
you talk of the siege of Leith, and I have seen the place^ — a 
pretty kind of a hamlet it is, with a plain wall or rampart, 
and a pigeon-house or sort of a tower at every angle. Uds 
daggers and scabbards, if a leaguer of our days had been 
twenty-four hours, not to say so many months, before it, with- 
out carrying the place and all its cocklofts, one after another, 
1 See French Cookery. Note 21. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


193 


by pure storm, they would have deserved no better grace than 
the provost-marshal gives when his noose is reeved. 

“Saar,’’ said the chevalier, “Monsieur le Capitaine, I vas 
not at the siege of the petit Leyth, and I know not what you 
say about the cockloft; but I will say for Monseigneur de 
Strozzi, that he understood the grande guerre, and was grand 
capitaine — plus grand — that is more great, it may be, than 
some of the capitaines of Angleterre, who do speak very loud 
— tenez, monsieur, car c’est a vous!” 

“ Oh, monsieur, ” answered the swordsman, “ we know the 
Frenchman will fight well behind his barrier of stone, or when 
he is armed with back, breast, and pot.” 

“Pot!” exclaimed the chevalier, “what do you mean by 
pot — do you mean to insult me among my noble guests? 
Saar, I have done my duty as a pauvre gentilhomme under 
the Grand Henri Quatre, both at Courtrai and Yvry, and, 
ventre saint gris ! we had neither pot nor marmite, but did 
always charge in our shirt.” 

“ Which refutes another base scandal, ” said Lord Dalgarno, 
laughing, “ alleging that linen was scarce among the French 
gentlemen-at-arms. ” 

“ Gentlemen out at arms and elbows both, you mean, my 
lord,” said the captain, from the bottom of the table. 
“Craving your lordship’s pardon, I do know something of 
these same gens-d’armes.” 

“ We will spare your knowledge at present, captain, and 
save your modesty at the same time the trouble of telling us 
how that knowledge was acquired, ” answered Lord Dalgarno, 
rather contemptuously. 

“ I need not speak of it, my lord, ” said the man of war : 
“ the world knows it — all, perhaps, but the men of mohair — 
the poor sneaking citizens of London, who would see a man of 
valour eat his very hilts for hunger, ere they would draw a 
farthing from their long purses to relieve them. Oh, if a 
band of the honest fellows I have seen were once to come near 
that cuckoo’s nest ’ of theirs!” 

“A cuckoo’s nest! and that said of the city of London!” 

1 See Note 22. 


13 


194 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


said a gallant who sat on the opposite side of the table, and 
who, wearing a splendid and fashionable dress, seemed yet 
scarce at home in it. “I will not brook to hear that re- 
peated. 

^‘What!’’ said the soldier, bending a most terrible frown 
from a pair of broad black eyebrows, handling the hilt of his 
weapon with one hand, and twirling with the other his huge 
mustachios; “ will you quarrel for your city?” 

Ay, marry will I, ” replied the other. I am a citizen, I 
care not who knows it ; and he who shall speak a word in dis- 
praise of the city is an ass and a peremptory gull, and I will 
break his pate, to teach him sense and manners.” 

The company, who probably had their reasons for not valu- 
ing the captain^ s courage at the high rate which he himself 
put upon it, were much entertained at the manner in which 
the quarrel was taken up by the indignant citizen j and they 
exclaimed on all sides, ^‘Well rung. Bow Bell!” “Well 
crowed, the cock of St. Paul’s!” “ Soimd a charge there, or 
the soldier will mistake his signals, and retreat when he 
should advance.” 

“You mistake me, gentlemen,” said the captain, looking 
round with an air of dignity. “ I will but inquire whether 
this cavaliero citizen is of rank and degree fitted to measure 
swords with a man of action — for, conceive me, gentlemen, it 
is not with every one that I can match myself without loss of 
reputation — and in that case he shall soon hear from me hon- 
ourably, by way of cartel.” 

“You shall feel me most dishonourably in the way of cud- 
gel, ” said the citizen, starting up, and taking his sword, which 
he had laid in a corner. “ PoUow me. ” 

“ It is my right to name the place of combat, by all the 
rules of the sword, ” said the captain ; “ and I do nominate the 
Maze, in Tothill Yields, for place; two gentlemen, who shall 
be indifferent judges, for witnesses ; and for time — let me say 
this day fortnight, at daybreak.” 

“ And I, ” said the citizen, “ do nominate the bowling-alley 
behind the house for place, the present good company for wit- 
nesses, and for time the present moment. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


195 


So saying, he cast on his beaver, struck the soldier across 
the shoulders with his sheathed sword, and ran downstairs. 

' j 

The captain showed no instant alacrity to follow him ; yet at 
last, roused by the laugh and sneer around him, he assured 
the company that what he did he would do deliberately, and 
assuming his hat, which he put on with the air of Ancient 
Pistol, he descended the stairs to the place of combat, where 
his more prompt adversary was already stationed, with his 
sword unsheathed. Of the company, all of whom seemed 
highly delighted with the approaching fray, some ran to the 
windows which overlooked the bowling-aUey, and others fol- 
lowed the combatants downstairs. Nigel could not help 
asking Dalgarno whether he would not interfere to prevent 
mischief. 

“ It would be a crime against the public interest, ” answered 
his friend ; “ there can no mischief happen between two such 
originals which will not be a positive benefit to society, and 
particularly to the chevalier’s establishment, as he calls it. 
I have been as sick of that captain’s buff belt and red doublet 
for this month past as e’er I was of aught; and now I hope 
this bold linendraper will cudgel the ass out of that filthy 
lion’s hide. See, Nigel — see, the gallant citizen has ta’en his 
ground about a bowl’s-cast forward, in the midst of the alley — 
the very model of a hog in armour. Behold how he prances 
with his manly foot, and brandishes his blade, much as if he 
were about to measure forth cambric with it. See, they 
bring on the reluctant soldado, and plant him opposite to his 
fiery antagonist, twelve paces stiU dividing them. Lo, the 
captain draws his tool, but, like a good general, looks over his 
shoulder to secure his retreat, in case the worse come on’t. 
Behold the valiant shopkeeper stoops his head, confident, 
doubtless, in the civic helmet with which his spouse has for- 
tified his skull. Why, this is the rarest of sport. By 
Heaven, he will run a tilt at him like a ram.” 

It was even as Lord Dalgarno had anticipated ; for the citi- 
zen, who seemed quite serious in his zeal for combat, perceiv- 
ing that the man of war did not advance towards him, rushed 
onwards with as much good fortune as courage, beat down the 


196 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


captain’s guard, and, pressing on, thrust, as it seemed, his 
sword clear through the body of his antagonist, who, with a 
deep groan, measured his length on the ground. A score of 
voices cried to the conqueror, as he stood fixed in astonish- 
ment at his own feat, “ Away — away with you ! fly — fly — fly 
by the back door! get into the Whitefriars, or across the 
water to the Bankside, while we keep off the mob and the 
constables.” And the conqueror, leaving his vanquished foe- 
man on the ground, fled accordingly, with all speed. 

“ By Heaven, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ I could never have be- 
lieved that the fellow would have stood to receive a thrust ; he 
has certainly been arrested by positive terror, and lost the use 
of his limbs. See, they are raising him.” 

Stiff and stark seemed the corpse of the swordsman, as one 
or two of the guests raised him from the ground; but, when 
they began to open his waistcoat to search for the wound 
which nowhere existed, the man of war collected his scattered 
spirits ; and, conscious that the ordinary was no longer a stage 
on which to display his valour, took to his heels as fast as 
he could run, pursued by the laughter and shouts of the 
company. 

“ By my honour, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ he takes the same 
course with his conqueror. I trust in Heaven he will overtake 
him, and then the valiant citizen will suppose himself haunted 
by the ghost of him he has slain. ” 

“ Despardieux, milor, ” said the chevalier, “ if he had staid 
one moment, he should have had a torchon — what you call a 
dishclout, pinned to him for a piece of shroud, to show he be 
de ghost of one grand fanfaron.” 

“ In the mean while, ” said Lord Dalgarno, you will oblige 
us. Monsieur le Cheval r, as well as maintain your own hon- 
oured reputation, by letting your drawers receive the man-at- 
arms with a cudgel, in case he should venture to come this 
way again.” 

“Ventre saint gris, milor,” said the chevalier, “leave that 
to me. Begar, the maid shall throw the wash-suds upon the 
grand poltron !” 

When they had laughed sufficiently at this ludicrous occur- 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


197 


rence, the party began to divide themselves into little knots ; 
some took possession of the alley, later the scene of combat, 
and put the field to its proper use of a bowling-ground, and it 
soon resounded with all the terms of the game, as run, run — 
rub, rub — hold bias, you infernal trundling timber!” thus 
making good the saying, that three things are thrown away in 
a bowling-green, namely, time, money, and oaths. 

In the house, many of the gentlemen betook themselves to 
cards or dice, and parties were formed at ombre, at basset, at 
gleek, at primero, and other games then in fashion ; while the 
dice were used at various games, both with and without the 
tables, as hazard, in-and-in, passage, and so forth. The play, 
however, did not appear to be extravagantly deep ; it was cer- 
tainly conducted with great decorum and fairness j nor did 
there appear anything to lead the young Scotsman in the least 
to doubt his companion’s assurance that the place was fre- 
quented by men of rank and quality, and that the recreations 
they adopted were conducted upon honourable principles. 

Lord Dalgarno neither had proposed play to his friend nor 
joined in the amusement himself, but sauntered from one table 
to another, remarking the luck of the different players, as well 
as their capacity to avail themselves of it, and exchanging con- 
versation with the highest and most respectable of the guests. 
At length, as if tired of what in modern phrase would have 
been termed lounging, he suddenly remembered that Burbage 
was to act Shakspeare’s King Richard at the Fortune that af- 
ternoon, and that he could not give a stranger in London, like 
Lord Glenvarloch, a higher entertainment than to carry him 
to that exhibition. “ Unless, indeed,” he added, in a whisper, 
there is a paternal interdiction of the theatre as well as of the 
ordinary. ” 

“ I never heard my father speak of stage-plays, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch, for they are shows of a modern date, and un- 
known in Scotland. Yet, if what I have heard to their prej- 
udice be true, I doubt much whether he would have approved 
of them. ” 

“Approved of them!” exclaimed Lord Dalgarno; “why, 
George Buchanan wrote tragedies, and his pupil, learned and 


198 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


wise as himself, goes to see them, so it is next door to treason 
to abstain; and the cleverest men in England write for the 
stage, and the prettiest women in London resort to the play- 
houses, and I have a brace of nags at the door which will carry 
us along the streets like wildfire, and the ride will digest our 
venison and ortolans, and dissipate the fumes of the wine, and 
so let’s to horse. God-den to you, gentlemen. God-den, 
Chevalier de la Fortune.” 

Lord Dalgarno’s grooms were in attendance with two horses, 
and the young men mounted, the proprietor upon a favourite 
barb, and Nigel upon a high-dressed jennet, scarce less beau- 
tiful. As they rode towards the theatre. Lord Dalgarno en- 
deavoui-ed to discover his friend’s opinion of the company to 
which he had introduced him, and to combat the exceptions 
which he might suppose him to have taken. “ And where- 
fore lookest thou sad, ” he said, my pensive neophyte? Sage 
son of the alma mater of Low-Dutch learning, what aileth 
thee? Is the leaf of the living world which we have turned 
over in company less fairly written than thou hadst been 
taught to expect? Be comforted, and pass over one little blot 
or two ; thou wilt be doomed to read through many a page as 
black as infamy, with her sooty pinion, can make them. Re- 
member, most immaculate Nigel, that we are in London, not 
Leyden; that we are studying life, not lore. Stand buff 
against the reproach of thine over-tender conscience, man, 
and when thou summest up, like a good arithmetician, the ac- 
tions of the day, before you balance the account upon your 
pillow, tell the accusing spirit to his brimstone beard that, if 
thine ears have heard the clatter of the devil’s bones, thy 
hand hath not trowled them ; that if thine eye hath seen the 
brawling of two angry boys, thy blade hath not been bared in 
their fray.” 

‘•'Now, all this may be wise and witty,” replied Nigel; 
“ yet I own I cannot think but th< t your lordship, and other 
men of good quality with whom we dined, might have chosen 
a place of meeting free from the intrusion of bullies, and a 
better master of your ceremonial than yonder foreign adven- 
turer. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


199 


“All shall be amended, Sancte Nigelle, when thou shalt 
come forth a new Peter the Hermit, to preach a crusade 
against dicing, drabbing, and company-keeping. We will 
meet for dinner in St. Sepulchre’s church; we will dine in the 
chancel, drink our flask in the vestry ; the parson shall draw 
every cork, and the clerk say ^amen’ to every health. Come, 
man, cheer up, and get rid of this sour and unsocial humour. 
Credit me, that the Puritans who object to us the follies and 
the frailties incident to human nature have themselves the 
vices of absolute devils, privy malice and backbiting hypoc- 
risy, and spiritual pride in all its presumption. There is 
much, too, in life which we must see, were it only to learn to 
shun it. Will Shakespeare, who lives after death, and who 
is presently to afford thee such pleasure as none but himself 
can confer, has described the gallant Falconbridge as calling 
that man 

A bastard to the time 
That doth not smack of observation ■; 

Which, though I will not practise to deceive, 

Yet, to avoid deceit, I mean to learn. 

But here we are at the door of the Fortune, ’ where we shall 
have matchless Will speaking for himself. Goblin, and you 
other lout, leave the horses to the grooms, and make way for 
us through the press.” 

They dismounted, and the assiduous efforts of Lutin, el- 
bowing, bullying, and proclaiming his master’s name and 
title, made way through a crowd of murmuring citizens 
and clamorous apprentices to the door, where Lord Dalgarno 
speedily procured a brace of stools upon the stage for his 
companion and himself, where, seated among other gallants of 
the same class, they had an opportunity of displaying their 
fair dresses and fashionable manners, while they criticised the 
piece during its progress; thus forming, at the same time, a 
conspicuous part of the spectacle and an important proportion 
of the audience. 

Higel Olifaunt was too eagerly and deeply absorbed in the 
^ This theatre wa^, situated near Playhouse Yard, Golden Lane {Laing). 


200 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


interest of the scene to be capable of playing his part as be- 
came the place where he was seated. He felt all the magic of 
that sorcerer who had displayed, within the paltry circle of 
a wooden booth, the long wars of York and Lancaster, com- 
pelling the heroes of either line to stalk across the scene in 
language and fashion as they lived, as if the grave had given 
up the dead for the amusement and instruction of the living. 
Burbage,^ esteemed the best Richard until Garrick arose, 
played the tyrant and usurper with such truth and liveliness 
that, when the battle of Bosworth seemed concluded by his 
death, the ideas of reality and deception were strongly con- 
tending in Lord Glenvarloch^s imagination, and it required 
him to rouse himself from his reverie, so strange did the pro- 
posal at first sound, when his companion declared King Rich- 
ard should sup with them at the Mermaid. 

They were joined, at the same time, by a small party of the 
gentlemen with whom they had dined, which they recruited 
by inviting two or three of the most accomplished wits and 
poets, who seldom failed to attend the Fortune Theatre, and 
were even but too ready to conclude a day of amusement with 
a night of pleasure. Thither the whole party adjourned, and 
betwixt fertile cups of sack, excited spirits, and the emulous 
wit of their lively companions, seemed to realise the joyous 
boast of one of Ben Jonson’s contemporaries, when reminding 
the bard of 

Those lyric feasts, 

Where men such clusters had, 

As made them nobly wild, not mad ; 

While yet each verse of thine 
Outdid the meat, outdid the frolic wine. 

1 See Note 23. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


201 


CHAPTER XIII. 

Let the proud salmon gorge the feather’d hook, 

Then strike, and then you have him. He will wince, 

Spin out your line that it shall whistle from you 
Some twenty yards or so, yet you shall have him. 

Marry ! you must have patience. The stout rock 
Which is his trust hath edges something sharp ; 

And the deep pool hath ooze and sludge enough 
To mar your fishing, ’less you are more careful, 

Albion, or the Double Kings, 

It is seldom that a day of pleasure, upon review, seems 
altogether so exquisite as the partaker of the festivity may 
have felt it while passing over him. Nigel Olifaunt, at least, 
did not feel it so, and it required a visit from his new acquain- 
tance Lord Dalgarno to reconcile him entirely to himself. 
But this visit took place early after breakfast, and his friend^ s 
discourse was prefaced with a question, How he liked the 
company of the preceding evening?’^ 

Why, excellently well, said Lord Glenvarloch ; “ only I 
should have liked the wit better had it appeared to flow more 
freely. Every man’s invention seemed on the stretch, and 
each extravagant simile seemed to set one half of your men of 
wit into a brown study to produce something which should 
out-herod it.” 

And wherefore not?” said Lord Dalgarno, “or what are 
these fellows fit for, but to play the intellectual gladiators be- 
fore us? He of them who declares himself recreant, should, 
d — n him, be restricted to muddy ale, and the patronage of the 
Waterman’s Company. I promise you, that many a pretty fel- 
low has been mortally wounded with a quibble or a carwitchet 
at the Mermaid, and sent from thence, in a pitiable state, to 
Wit’s hospital in the Vintry, where they languish to this day 
amongst fools and aldermen.” 

“It may be so,” said Lord Nigel; “yet I could swear by 
my honour, that last night I seemed to be in company with 
more than one man whose genius and learning ought either to 
have placed him higher in our company or to have withdrawn 


202 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


him altogether from a scene where, so to speak, his part seemed 
unworthily subordinate. ” 

“ Now, out upon your tender conscience, ” said Lord Dalgar- 
no ; “ and the fico for such outcasts of Parnassus ! Why, these 
are the very leavings of that noble banquet of pickled herrings 
and Rhenish which lost London so many of her principal wit- 
mongers and bards of misrule. What would you have said 
had you seen Nash or Green, when you interest yourself about 
the poor mimes you supped with last night? Suffice it, they 
had their drench and their doze, and they drank and slept as 
much as may save them from any necessity of eating till even- 
ing, when, if they are industrious, they will find patrons or 
players to feed them. * For the rest of their wants, they can 
be at no loss for cold water while the New River head holds 
good; and your doublets of Parnassus are eternal in dura- 
tion. ” 

“Virgil and Horace had more efficient patronage,” said 
Nigel. 

“Ay,” replied his countryman, “but these fellows are 
neither Virgil nor Horace ; besides, we have other spirits of 
another sort, to whom I will introduce you on some early oc- 
casion. Our Swan of Avon hath sung his last ; but we have 
stout old Ben, with as much learning and genius as ever 
prompted the treader of sock and buskin. It is not, however, 
of him I mean now to speak, but I come to pray you, of dear 
love, to row up with me as far as Richmond, where two or 
three of the gallants whom you saw yesterday mean to give 
music and syllabubs to a set of beauties, with some curious 
bright eyes among them — such, I promise you, as might win 
an astrologer from his worship of the galaxy. My sister leads 
the bevy to whom I desire to present you. She hath her ad- 
mirers at court; and is regarded, though I might dispense 
with sounding her praise, as one of the beauties of the time. ” 

There was no refusing an engagement where the presence of 
the party invited, late so low in his own regard, was demanded 
by a lady of quality, one of the choice beauties of the time. 
Lord Glenvarloch accepted, as was inevitable, and spent a 
* See Men of Wit and Talent. Note 24. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


203 


lively day among the gay and the fair. He was the gallant 
in attendance, for the day, upon his friend’s sister, the beau- 
tiful Countess of Blackchester, who aimed at once at superior- 
ity in the realms of fashion, of power, and of wit. 

She was, indeed, considerably older than her brother, and 
had probably completed her six lustres ; but the deficiency in 
extreme youth was more than atoned for in the most precise 
and curious accuracy in attire, an early acquaintance with 
every foreign mode, and a peculiar gift in adapting the knowl- 
edge which she acquired to her own particular features and 
complexion. At court, she knew as well as any lady in the 
circle the precise tone, moral, political, learned, or jocose, in 
which it was proper to answer the monarch, according to his 
prevailing humour ; and was supposed to have been very ac- 
tive, by her personal interest, in procuring her husband a high 
situation, which the gouty old viscount could never have de- 
served by any merit of his own commonplace conduct and 
understanding. 

It was far more easy for this lady than for her brother to 
reconcile so young a courtier as Lord Glenvarloch to the cus- 
toms and habits of a sphere so new to him. In all civilised 
society, the females of distinguished rank and beauty give the 
tone to manners, and, through these, even to morals. Lady 
Blackchester had, besides, interest either in the court or over 
the court, for its source could not be well traced, which created 
friends, and overawed those who might have been disposed to 
play the part of enemies. 

At one time, she was understood to be closely leagued with 
the Buckingham family, with whom her brother still main- 
tained a great intimacy; and, although some coldness had 
taken place betwixt the countess and the Duchess of Bucking- 
ham, so that they were little seen together, and the former 
seemed considerably to have withdrawn herself into privacy, 
it was whispered that Lady Blackchester’ s interest with the 
great favourite was not diminished in consequence of her 
breach with his lady. 

Our accounts of the private court intrigues of that period, 
and of the persons to whom they were entrusted, are not full 


204 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


enough to enable us to pronounce upon the various reports 
which arose out of the circumstances we have detailed. It is 
enough to say, that Lady Blackchester possessed great influ- 
ence on the circle around her, both from her beauty, her abili- 
ties, and her reputed talents for court intrigue; and that, 
Nigel Olifaunt was not long of experiencing its power, as he 
became a slave in some degree to that species of habit which 
carries so many men into a certain society at a certain hour, 
without expecting or receiving any particular degree of grati- 
fication, or even amusement. 

His life for several weeks may be thus described. The or- 
dinary was no bad introduction to the business of the day ; and 
the young lord quickly formd that, if the society there was 
not always irreproachable, still it formed the most convenient 
and agreeable place of meeting with the fashionable parties 
with whom he visited Hyde Park, the theatres, and other 
places of public resort, or joined the gay and glittering circle 
which Lady Blackchester had assembled around her. Neither 
did he entertain the same scrupulous horror which led him 
originally even to hesitate entering into a place where gaming 
was permitted ; but, on the contrary, began to admit the idea 
that, as there could be no harm in beholding such recreation 
when only indulged in to a moderate degree, so, from a parity 
of reasoning, there could be no objection to joining in it, 
always under the same restrictions. But the young lord was 
a Scotsman, habituated to early reflection, and totally unac- 
customed to any habit which inferred a careless risk or pro- 
fuse waste of money. Profusion was not his natural vice, or 
one likely to be acquired in the course of his education ; and 
in all probability, while his father anticipated with noble hor- 
ror the idea of his son approaching the gaming-table, he was 
more startled at the idea of his becoming a gaining than a 
losing adventurer. The second, according to his principles, 
had a termination, a sad one indeed, in the loss of temporal 
fortune ; the first quality went on increasing the evil which 
he dreaded, and perilled at once both body and soul. 

However the old lord might ground his apprehension, it 
was so far verified by his son^s conduct, that, from an ob- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


205 


server of the various games of chance which he witnessed, he 
came, by degrees, by moderate hazards and small bets or 
wagers, to take a certain interest in them. Nor could it be 
denied that his rank and expectations entitled him to hazard 
a few pieces, for his game went no deeper, against persons 
who, from the readiness with which they staked their money, 
might be supposed well able to afford to lose it. 

It chanced, or, perhaps, according to the common belief, 
his evil genius had so decreed, that NigeUs adventures were 
remarkably successful. He was temperate, cautious, cool- 
headed, had a strong memory and a ready power of calcula- 
tion; was, besides, of a daring and intrepid character, one 
upon whom no one that had looked even slightly, or spoken 
to though but hastily, would readily have ventured to prac- 
tise anything approaching to trick, or which required to be 
supported by intimidation. While Lord Glenvarloch chose 
to play, men played with him regularly, or, according to the 
phrase, upon the square ; and, as he found his luck change, 
or wished to hazard his good fortune no farther, the more pro- 
fessed votaries of fortune who frequented the house of Mon- 
sieur le Chevalier de St. -Priest Beaujeu did not venture openly 
to express their displeasure at his rising a winner. But when 
this happened repeatedly, the gamesters murmured amongst 
themselves equally at the caution and the success of the 
young Scotsman; and he became far from being a popular 
character among their society. 

It was no slight inducement to the continuance of this most 
evil habit, when once it was in some degree acquired, that it 
seemed to place Lord Glenvarloch, haughty as he naturally 
was, beyond the necessity of subjecting himself to farther 
pecuniary obligations, which his prolonged residence in Lon- 
don must otherwise have rendered necessary. He had to so- 
licit from the ministers certain forms of office, which were to 
render his sign-manual effectually useful ; and these, though 
they could not be denied, were delayed in such a manner as 
to lead Nigel to believe there was some secret opposition which 
occasioned the demur in his business. His own impulse was, 
to have appeared at court a second time, with the King’s sign- 


206 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


manual in his pocket, and to have appealed to his Majesty 
himself, whether the delay of the public officers ought to ren- 
der his royal generosity unavailing. But the Lord Huntin- 
glen, that good old peer, who had so frankly interfered in his 
behalf on a former occasion, and whom he occasionally visited, 
greatly dissuaded him from a similar adventure, and exhorted 
him quietly to await the deliverance of the ministers, which 
should set him free from dancing attendance in London. 

Lord Dalgarno joined his father in deterring his young 
friend from a second attendance at court, at least till he was 
reconciled with the Duke of Buckmgham. “A matter in 
which, ” he said, addressing his father, ‘‘ I have offered my 
poor assistance, without being able to prevail on Lord Nigel 
to make any — not even the least — submission to the Duke of 
Buckingham.” 

“ By my faith, and I hold the laddie to be in the right on’t, 
Malcolm!” answered the stout old Scots lord. “What right 
hath Buckingham, or, to speak plainly, the son of Sir George 
Villiers, to expect homage and fealty from one more noble than 
himself by eight quarters? I heard him myself, on no reason 
that I could perceive, term Lord Nigel his enemy; and it will 
never be by my counsel that the lad speaks soft words to him 
till he recalls the hard one.” 

“That is precisely my advice to Lord Glenvarloch, ” an- 
swered Lord Dalgarno ; “ but then you will admit, my dear 
father, that it would be the risk of extremity for our friend to 
return into the presence, the duke being his enemy ; better to 
leave it with me to take off the heat of the distemperature 
with which some pickthanks have persuaded the duke to re- 
gard our friend.” 

“ If thou canst persuade Buckingham of his error, Malcolm, ” 
said his father, “ for once I will say there hath been kindness 
and honesty in court service. I have oft told your sister and 
yourself that in the general I esteem it as lightly as may be.” 

“You need not doubt my doing my best in NigePs case,” 
answered Lord Dalgarno; “but you must think, my dear 
father, I must needs use slower and gentler means than those 
by which you became a favourite twenty years ago. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


207 


By my faith, I am afraid thou wilt, ” answered his father. 

I tell thee, Malcolm, I would sooner wish myself in the grave 
than doubt thine honesty or honour; yet somehow it hath 
chanced that honest, ready service hath not the same accep- 
tance at court which it had in my younger time, and yet you 
rise there. 

“ Oh, the time permits not your old-world service, ” said Lord 
Dalgarno ; we have now no daily insurrections, no nightly 
attempts at assassination, as were the fashion in the Scottish 
court. Your prompt and uncourteous sword-in-hand atten- 
dance on the sovereign is no longer necessary, and would be 
as unbeseeming as your old-fashioned serving-men, with their 
badges, broadswords, and bucklers, would be at a court mask. 
Besides, father, loyal haste hath its inconveniences. I have 
heard, and from royal lips too, that when you struck your dag- 
ger into the traitor Ruthven, it was with such little consider- 
ration, that the point ran a quarter of an inch into the royal 
buttock. The King never talks of it but he rubs the injured 
part, and quotes his . . . renovare dolor em.^ But 

this comes of old fashions, and of wearing a long Liddesdale 
whinger instead of a poniard of Parma. Yet this, my dear 
father, you call prompt and valiant service. The King, I am 
told, could not sit upright for a fortnight, though all the cush- 
ions in Falkland were placed in his chair of state, and the Pro- 
vost of Dunfermline’s borrowed to the boot of all.” 

‘^It is a lie,” said the old earl — “a false lie, forge it who 
list! It is true I wore a dagger of service by my side, and 
not a bodkin like yours, to pick one’s teeth withal. And for 
prompt service — odds nouns I it should be prompt to be use- 
ful, when kings are crying treason and murder with the 
screech of a half -throttled hen. But you young courtiers 
know nought of these matters, and are little better than the 
green geese' they bring over from the Indies, whose only merit 
to their masters is to repeat their own words after them — a 
pack of mouthers, and flatterers, and ear- wigs. Well, I am 
old and unable to mend, else I would break all off, and hear 
the Tay once more flinging himself over the Campsie Linn. ” 

“ But there is your dinner-bell, father, ” said Lord Dalgar- 


208 . 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


no, “ which, if the venison I sent you prove seasonable, is at 
least as sweet a sound. 

‘^Follow me, then, youngsters, if you list,” said the old 
earl ; and strode on from the alcove in which this conversation 
was held, towards the house, followed by the two young men. 

In their private discourse. Lord Dalgarno had little trouble 
in dissuading Nigel from going immediately to court; while, 
on the other hand, the offers he made him of a previous intro- 
duction to the Duke of Buckingham were received by Lord 
Glenvarloch with a positive and contemptuous refusal. His 
friend shrugged his shoulders, as one who claims the merit of 
having given to an obstinate friend the best counsel, and de- 
sires to be held free of the consequences of his pertinacity. 

As for the father, his table indeed, and his best liquor, of 
which he was more profuse than necessary, were at the com- 
mand of his young friend, as well as his best advice and as- 
sistance in the prosecution of his affairs. But Lord Huntin- 
glen^s interest was more apparent than real; and the credit he 
had acquired by his gallant defence of the King’s person was 
so carelessly managed by himself, and so easily eluded by the 
favourites and ministers of the sovereign, that, except upon one 
or two occasions, when the King was in some measure taken 
by surprise, as in the case of Lord Glenvarloch, the royal 
bounty was never efficiently extended either to himself or to 
his friends. 

“There never was a man,” said Lord Dalgarno, whose 
shrewder knowledge of the English court saw where his fa- 
ther’s deficiency lay, “ that had it so perfectly in his power 
to have made his way to the pinnacle of fortune as my poor 
father. He had acquired a right to build up the staircase 
step by step, slowly and surely, letting every boon which 
he begged year after year become in its turn the resting-place 
for the next annual grant. But your fortunes shall not ship- 
wreck upon the same coast, Nigel,” he would conclude. “If 
I have fewer means of influence than my father has, or rather 
had, till he threw them away for butts of sack, hawks, hounds, 
and such carrion, I can, far better than he, improve that which 
I possess; and that, my dear Nigel, is all engaged in your 


THE FORTUNES OF NtQEL. 


209 


behalf. Do not be surprised or offended that you now see me 
less than formerly. The stag-hunting is commenced, and the 
Prince looks that I should attend him more frequently. I 
must also maintain my attendance on the Duke, that I may 
have an opportunity of pleading your cause when occasion 
shall permit.” 

“I have no cause to plead before the Duke,” said Nigel, 
gravely ; I have said so repeatedly. ” 

“Why, I meant the phrase no otherwise, thou churlish 
and suspicious disputant, ” answered Dalgarno, “ than as I am 
now pleading the Duke’s cause with thee. Surely I only 
mean to claim a share in our royal master’s favourite bene- 
diction, Beati 'pacifici. ” 

Upon several occasions. Lord Glen var loch’s conversations, 
both with the old earl and his son, took a similar turn, and 
had a like conclusion. He sometimes felt as if, betwixt the 
one and the other, not to mention the more unseen and un- 
boasted, but scarce less certain, influence of Lady Blackches- 
ter, his affair, simple as it had become, might have been 
somehow accelerated. But it was equally impossible to doubt 
the rough honesty of the father and the eager and officious 
friendship of Lord Dalgarno ; nor was it easy to suppose that 
the countenance of the lady, by whom he was received with 
such distinction, would be wanting, could it be effectual in 
his service. 

Nigel was further sensible of the truth of what Lord Dal- 
garno often pointed out, that the favourite being supposed to 
be his enemy, every petty officer through whose hands his 
affair must necessarily pass would desire to make a merit of 
throwing obstacles in his way, which he could only surmount 
by steadiness and patience, unless he preferred closing the 
breach, or, as Lord Dalgarno called it, making his peace with 
the Duke of Buckingham. 

Nigel might, and doubtless would, have had recourse to the 
advice of his friend George Heriot upon this occasion, having 
found it so advantageous formerly ; but the only time he saw 
him after their visit to court, he found the worthy citizen 
engaged in hasty preparation for a journey to Paris, upon 
14 


210 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


business of great importance in the way of his profession, and 
by an especial commission from the court and the Duke of 
Buckingham, which was likely to be attended with consider- 
able profit. The good man smiled as he named the Duke of 
Buckingham. ^‘He had been,” he said, “pretty sure that his 
disgrace in that quarter would not be of long duration. ” 

Lord Glenvarloch expressed himself rejoiced at their recon- 
ciliation, observing, that it had been a most painful reflection 
to him that Master Heriot should, in his behalf, have incurred 
the dislike, and perhaps exposed himself to the ill ofiices, of 
so powerful a favourite. 

“My lord,” said Heriot, “for your father’s son I would do 
much ; and yet truly, if I know myself, I would do as much, 
and risk as much, for the sake of justice, in the case of a 
much more insignificant person, as I have ventured for yours. 
But as we shall not meet for some time, I must commit to your 
own wisdom the farther prosecution of this matter.” 

And thus they took a kind and affectionate leave of each other. 

There were other changes in Lord Glenvarloch’ s situation 
which require to be noticed. His present occupations, and 
the habits of amusement which he had acquired, rendered his 
living so far in the city a considerable inconvenience. He 
may also have become a little ashamed of his cabin on Paul’s 
Wharf, and desirous of being lodged somewhat more according 
to his quality. For this purpose he had hired a small apart- 
ment near the Temple. He was, nevertheless, almost sorry 
for what he had done, when he observed that his removal ap- 
peared to give some pain to John Christie, and a great deal to 
his cordial and ojficious landlady. The former, who was grave 
and saturnine in everything he did, only hoped that all had 
been to Lord Glenvarloch’ s mind, and that he had not left 
them on account of any unbeseeming negligence on their part. 
But the tear twinkled in Dame Nelly’s eye, while she recounted 
the various improvements she had made in the apartment of 
express purpose to render it more convenient to his lordship. 

“There was a great sea-chest,” she said, “had been taken 
up-stairs to the shopman’s garret, though it left the poor lad 
scarce eighteen inches of opening to creep betwixt it and his 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


211 


bed; and Heaven knew — she did not — whether it could ever 
be brought down that narrow stair again. Then the turning 
the closet into an alcove had cost a matter of twenty round 
shillings ; and to be sure, to any other lodger but his lordship 
the closet was more convenient. There was all the linen, too, 
which she had bought on purpose. But Heaven’s will be 
done — she was resigned.” 

Everybody likes marks of personal attachment; and Nigel, 
whose heart really smote him, as if in his rising fortunes he 
were disdaining the lowly accommodations and the civilities 
of the humble friends which had been but lately actual favours, 
failed not by every assurance in his power, and by as liberal 
payment as they could be prevailed upon to accept, to allevi- 
ate the soreness of their feelings at his departure ; and a part- 
ing kiss from the fair lips of his hostess sealed his forgiveness. 

Richie Moniplies lingered behind his master, to ask 
whether, in case of need, John Christie could help a canny 
Scotsman to a passage back to his own country ; and receiving 
assurance of John’s interest to that effect, he said, at parting, 
he would remind him of his promise soon. “ For, ” said he, 
“ if my lord is not weary of this London life, I ken one that 
is, videlicet, mysell ; and I am weel determined to see Arthur’s 
Seat again ere I am many weeks older.” 


CHAPTER XIV. 

Bingo, why, Bingo ! hey, boy— here, sir, here I 
He’s gone and off, but he’ll be home before us ; 

’Tis the most wayward cur e’er mumbled bone 
Or dogg’d a master’s footstep. Bingo loves me 
Better than ever beggar loved his alms ; 

Yet, when he takes such humour, you may coax 
Sweet Mistress Fantasy, your worship’s mistress, 

Out of her sullen moods, as soon as Bingo. 

The Dominie and his Dog. 

Richie Moniplies was as good as his word. Two or three 
mornings after the young lord had possessed himself of his 
new lodgings, he appeared before Nigel, as he was preparing 


212 


WAVERLEY NOVELS 


to dress, having left his pillow at an hour much later than 
had formerly been his custom. 

As Nigel looked upon his attendant, he observed there was 
a gathering gloom upon his solemn features, which expressed 
either additional importance, or superadded discontent, or a 
portion of both. 

‘‘How now,” he said, “what is the matter this morning, 
Richie, that you have made your face so like the grotesque 
mask on one of the spouts yonder?” pointing to the Temple 
Church, of which Gothic building they had a view from the 
window. 

Richie swivelled his head a little to the right, with as little 
alacrity as if he had the crick in his neck, and instantly re- 
suming his posture, replied : “ Mask here, mask there, it were 
nae such matters that I have to speak anent.” 

“And what matters have you to speak anent, then?” said 
his master, whom circumstances had inured to tolerate a good 
deal of freedom from his attendant. 

“My lord,” said Richie, and then stopped to cough and 
hem, as if what he had to say stuck somewhat in his throat. 

“I guess the mystery,” said Nigel — “you want a little 
money, Richie. Will five pieces serve the present turn?” 

“ My lord, ” said Richie, “ I may, it is like, want a trifle of 
money ; and I am glad at the same time and sorry that it is 
mair plenty with your lordship than formerly.” 

“Glad and sorry, man!” said Lord Nigel; “why, you are 
reading riddles to me, Richie.” 

“ My riddle will be briefly read, ” said Richie : “ I come to 
crave of your lordship your commands for Scotland.” 

“For Scotland! why, art thou mad, man?” said Nigel; 
“ canst thou not tarry to go down with me?” 

“ I could be of little service, ” said Richie, “ since you pur- 
pose to hire another page and groom.” 

“Why, thou jealous ass,” said the young lord, “will not 
thy load of duty lie the lighter? Go, take thy breakfast, 
and drink thy ale double strong, to put such absurdities out 
of thy head. I could be angry with thee for thy folly, man, 
but I remember how thou hast stuck to me in adversity. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


213 


^‘Adversity, my lord, should never have parted us,” said 
Richie; “methinks, had the warst come to warst, I could 
have starved as gallantly as your lordship, or more so, being 
in some sort used to it; for, though I was bred at a flesher’s 
stall, I have not through my life had a constant intimacy with 
collops.” 

“Now, what is the meaning of all this trash?” said Nigel; 
“ or has it no other end than to provoke my patience? You 
know well enough that, had I twenty serving-men, I would 
hold the faithful follower that stood by me in my distress the 
most valued of them all. But it is totally out of reason to 
plague me with your solemn capriccios.” 

“ My lord, ” said Richie, “ in declaring your trust in me, 
you have done what is honourable to yourself, if I may with 
humility say so much, and in no way undeserved on my side. 
Nevertheless, we must part.” 

“Body of me, man, why?” said Lord Nigel; “what reason 
can there be for it, if we are mutually satisfied?” 

“My lord,” said Richie Moniplies, “your lordship’s occu- 
pations are such as I cannot own or countenance by my pres- 
ence. ” 

“ How now, sirrah?” said his master, angrily. 

“Under favour, my lord,” replied his domestic, “it is un- 
equal dealing to be equally offended by my speech and by my 
silence. If you can hear with patience the grounds of my 
departure, it may be, for aught I know, the better for you here 
and hereafter ; if not, let me have my license of departure in 
silence, and so no more about it.” 

“Go to, sir!” said Nigel; “speak out your mind, only 
remember to whom you speak it.” 

“ Weel — weel, my lord, I speak it with humility (never did 
Richie look with more starched dignity than when he uttered 
the word) ; but do you think this dicing and card-shuffling, 
and haunting of taverns and playhouses, suits your lordship, 
for I am sure it does not suit me?” 

“ Why, you are not turned precisian or Puritan, fool?” said 
Lord Glenvarloch, laughing, though, betwixt resentment and 
shame, it cost him some trouble to do so. 


214 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


My lord, ” replied the follower, “ I ken the purport of your 
query. I am, it may be, a little of a precisian, and I wish 
to Heaven I was mair worthy of the name ; but let that be a 
pass-over. I have stretched the duties of a serving-man as far 
as my Northern conscience will permit. I can give my gude 
word to my master, or to my native country, when I am in a 
foreign land, even though I should leave downright truth a 
wee bit behind me. Ay, and I will take or give a slash with 
ony man that speaks to the derogation of either. But this 
chambering, dicing, and play-haunting is not my element — 
I cannot draw breath in it ; and when I hear of your lordship 
winning the siller that some poor creature may full sairly 
miss — by my saul, if it wad serve your necessity, rather than 
you gained it from him, I wad tak a jump over the hedge with 
your lordship, and cry ‘Stand!’ to the first grazier we met that 
was coming from Smithfield with the price of his Essex calves 
in his leathern pouch!” 

“You are a simpleton,” said Nigel, who felt, however, much 
conscience-struck; “I never play but for small sums.” 

“ Ay, my lord, ” replied the unyielding domestic, “ and — 
still with reverence — it is even sae much the waur. If you 
played with your equals, there might be like sin, but there 
wad be mair warldly honour in it. Your lordship kens, or 
may ken by experience of your ain, whilk is not as yet mony 
weeks auld, that small sums can ill be missed by those that 
have nane larger; and I maun e’en be plain with you, that 
men notice it of your lordship, that ye play wi’ nane but the 
misguided creatures that can but afford to lose bare stakes.” 

“No man dare say so!” replied Nigel, very angrily. “I 
play with whom I please, but I will only play for what stake 
I please.” 

“ That is just what they say, my lord, ” said the unmerciful 
Richie, whose natural love of lecturing, as well as his blunt- 
ness of feeling, prevented him from having any idea of the 
pain which he was inflicting on his master — “ these are even 
their own very words. It was but yesterday your lordship 
was pleased at tnat same ordinary to win from yonder young 
hafflins gentleman with the crimson velvet doublet and the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


215 


cock’s feather in his beaver — him, I mean, who fought with 
the ranting captain — a matter of five pounds, or thereby. I 
saw him come through the hall ; and, if he was not cleaned out 
of cross and pile, I never saw a ruined man in my life.” 

“Impossible!” said Lord Glenvarloch. “Why, who is he? 
He looked like a man of substance.” 

“ All is not gold that glistens, my lord, ” replied Richie ; 
“ ’broidery and bullion buttons make bare pouches. And if 
you ask who he is — maybe I have a guess, and care not to tell. ” 

“At least, if I have done any such fellow an injury,” said 
the Lord Nigel, “let me know how I can repair it.” 

“ Never fash your beard about that, my lord — with reve- 
rence always, ” said Richie ; “ he shall be suitably cared after. 
Think on him but as ane wha was running post to the devil, 
and got a shouldering from your lordship to help him on his 
journey. But I will stop him, if reason can; and so your 
lordship needs ask nae mair about it, for there is no use in 
your knowing it, but much the contrair.” 

“ Hark you, sirrah, ” said his master, “ I have borne with 
you thus far for certain reasons, but abuse my good-nature no 
farther ; and since you must needs go, why, go a God’s name, 
and here is to pay your journey.” So saying, he put gold into 
his hand, which Richie told over, piece by piece, with the 
utmost accuracy. 

“Is it all right — or are they wanting in weight — or what 
the devil keeps you, when your hurry was so great five min- 
utes since?” said the young lord, now thoroughly nettled at 
the presumptuous precision with which Richie dealt forth his 
canons of morality. 

“ The tale of coin is complete, ” said Richie, with the most 
imperturbable gravity ; “ and, for the weight, though they are 
sae scrupulous in this town as make mouths at a piece that is 
a wee bit light, or that has been cracked within the ring, my 
sooth, they will jump at them in Edinburgh like a cock at a 
grosart. Gold pieces are not so plenty there, the mair the pity !” 

“The more is your folly, then,” said Nigel, whose anger 
was only momentary, “that leave the land where there is 
enough of them.” 


216 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ My lord, ” said Richie, “ to be round with you, the grace 
of God is better than gold pieces. When Goblin, as you call 
yonder Monsieur Lutin — and you might as well call him Gib- 
bet, since that is what he is like to end in — shall recommend 
a page to you, ye will hear little such doctrine as ye have 
heard from me. And if they were my last words, ” he said, 
raising his voice, “ I would say you are misled, and are for- 
saking the paths which your honourable father trode in ; and, 
what is more, you are going — still under correction — to the 
devil with a dishclout, for ye are laughed at by them that 
lead you into these disordered bye-paths.’’ 

“ Laughed at!” said Nigel, who, like others of his age, was 
more sensible to ridicule than to reason. Who dares laugh 
at me?” 

“ My lord, as sure as I live by bread — nay, more, as I am a 
true man — and, I think, your lordship never found Richie’s 
tongue bearing aught but the truth — unless that your lord- 
ship’s credit, my country’s profit, or, it may be, some sma’ 
occasion of my ain, made it unnecessary to promulgate the 
haill veritie — I say then, as I am a true man, when I saw 
that puir creature come through the ha’, at that ordinary, 
whilk is accurst — Heaven forgive me for swearing! — of God 
and man, with his teeth set, and his hands clenched, and his 
bonnet drawn over his brows like a desperate man. Goblin said 
to me : ‘ There goes a dunghill chicken, that your master has 
plucked clean enough ; it will be long ere his lordship ruffie a 
feather with a cock of the game. ’ And so, my lord, to speak 
it out, the lackeys and the gallants, and more especially your 
sworn brother. Lord Dalgarno, call you the sparrow-hawk. I 
had some thought to have cracked Lutin’s pate for the speech, 
but, after a’, the controversy was not worth it.” 

“ Do they use such terms of me?” said Lord Nigel. “ Death 
and the devil!” 

And the devil’s dam, my lord, ” answered Richie ; “ they 
are all three busy in London. And, besides, Lutin and his 
master laughed at you, my lord, for letting it be thought 
that — I shame to speak it — that ye were over well with the 
wife of the decent honest man whose house you but now left. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


217 


as not sufficient for your new bravery, whereas they said, the 
licentious scoffers, that you pretended to such favour when 
you had not courage enough for so fair a quarrel, and that 
the sparrow-hawk was too craven-crested to fly at the wife of 
a cheesemonger.” He stopped a moment, and looked fixedly 
in his master’s face, which was inflamed with shame and 
anger, and then proceeded. “ My lord, I did you justice in 
my thought, and myself too. ^For,’ thought I, ^he would 
have been as deep in that sort of profligacy as in others, if it 
hadna been Richie’s four quarters.’ ” 

‘‘ What new nonsense have you got to plague me with?” 
said Lord Nigel. But go on, since it is the last time I am 
to be tormented with your impertinence — go on, and make the 
most of your time.” 

“In troth,” said Richie, “and so will I even do. And as 
Heaven has bestowed on me a tongue to speak and to ad- 
vise ” 

“ Which talent you can by no means be accused of suffering 
to remain idle,” said Lord Glenvarloch, interrupting him. 

“ True, my lord, ” said Richie, again waving his hand, as if 
to bespeak his master’s silence and attention; “so, I trust, 
you will think some time hereafter. And, as I am about to 
leave your service, it is proper that ye suld know the truth, 
that ye may consider the snares to which your youth and in- 
nocence may be exposed, when aulder and doucer heads are 
withdrawn from beside you. There has been a lusty, good- 
looking kimmer, of some forty or bygane, making mony speer- 
ings about you, my lord. ” 

“Well, sir, what did she want with me?” said Lord 
Nigel. 

“ At first, my lord, ” replied his sapient follower, “ as she 
seemed to be a well-fashioned woman, and to take pleasure in 
sensible company, I was no way reluctant to admit her to my 
conversation. ” 

“I dare say not,” said Lord Nigel; “nor unwilling to tell 
her about my private affairs.” 

“ Not I, truly, my lord, ” said the attendant ; “ for, though 
she asked me mony questions about your fame, your fortune. 


218 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


your business here, and such-like, I did not think it proper to 
tell her altogether the truth thereanent.” 

‘‘I see no call on you whatever,’’ said Lord Nigel, “to tell 
the woman either truth or lies upon what she had nothing to 
do with.” 

“ I thought so too, my lord, ” replied Richie, “ and so I told 
her neither.” 

“And what did you tell her, then, you eternal babbler?” 
said his master, impatient of his prate, yet curious to know 
what it was all to end in. 

“ I told her, ” said Richie, “ about your warldly fortune and 
sae forth, something whilk is not truth just at this time; but 
which hath been truth formerly, suld be truth now, and will 
be truth again — and that was, that you were in possession of 
your fair lands, whilk ye are but in right of as yet. Pleasant 
communing we had on that and other topics, until she showed 
the cloven foot, beginning to confer with me about some wench 
that she said had a good-will to your lordship, and fain she 
would have spoken with you in particular anent it ; but when 
I heard of such inklings, I began to suspect she was little bet- 
ter than whew!” Here he concluded his narrative with a 

low but very expressive whistle. 

“And what did your wisdom do in these circumstances?” 
said Lord Nigel, who, notwithstanding his former resentment, 
could now scarcely forbear laughing. 

“I put on a look, my lord,” replied Richie, bending his 
solemn brows, “ that suld give her a heart-scald of walking on 
such err.ands. I laid her enormities clearly before her, and I 
threatened her, in sae mony words, that I would have her to 
the ducking-stool; and she, on the contrair part, miscawed 
me for a froward Northern tyke ; and so we parted never to 
meet again, as I hope and trust. And so I stood between 
your lordship and that temptation, which might have been 
worse than the ordinary or the playhouse either; since you 
wot well what Solomon, king of the Jews, sayeth of the 
strange woman. ^For,’ said I to mysell, ^we have taken to 
dicing already, and if we take to drabbing next, the Lord kens 
what we may land in!”’ 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


219 


“ Your impertinence deserves correction, but it is the last 
which, for a time at least, I shall have to forgive, and I for- 
give it, ” said Lord Glenvarloch ; “ and, since we are to part, 
Richie, I will say no more respecting your precautions on my 
account than that I think you might have left me to act ac- 
cording to my own judgment.” 

“ Mickle better not, ” answered Richie — “ mickle better not ; 
we are a’ frail creatures, and can judge better for ilk ither 
than in our ain cases. And for me, even myself, saving that 
case of the sif9.ication, which might have happened to ony 
one, I have always observed myself to be much more pruden- 
tial in what I have done in your lordship’s behalf than even 
in what I have been able to transact for my own interest — 
whilk last I have, indeed, always postponed, as in duty I 
ought.” 

‘^1 do believe thou hast,” said Lord Nigel, ‘‘having ever 
found thee true and faithful. And since London pleases you 
so little, I will bid you a short farewell ; and you may go 
down to Edinburgh until I come thither myself, when I trust 
you will re-enter into my service.” 

“ Now, Heaven bless you, my lord, ” said Richie Moniplies, 
with uplifted eyes ; “ for that word sounds more like grace 
than ony has come out of your mouth this fortnight. I give 
you god-den, my lord.” 

So. saying, he thrust forth his immense bony hand, seized 
on that of Lord Glenvarloch, raised it to his lips, then turned 
short on his heel, and left the room hastily, as if afraid of 
showing more emotion than was consistent with his ideas of 
decorum. Lord Nigel, rather surprised at his sudden exit, 
called after him to know whether he was sufficiently provided 
with money ; but Richie, shaking his head, without making 
any other answer, ran hastily downstairs, shut the street-door 
heavily behind him, and was presently seen striding along 
the Strand. 

His master almost involuntarily watched and distinguished 
the tall, raw-boned figure of his late follower from the window 
for some time, until he was lost among the crowd of passengers. 
Nigel’s reflections were not altogether those of self-approval. 


220 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


It was no good sign of Ms course of life, he could not help ac- 
knowledging this much to himself, that so faithful an adherent 
no longer seemed to feel the same pride in his service, or at- 
tachment to his person, which he had formerly manifested. 
Neither could he avoid experiencing some twinges of con- 
science, while he felt in some degree the charges which Richie 
had preferred against him, and experienced a sense of shame 
and mortification, arising from the colour given by others to 
that which he himself would have called his caution and mod- 
eration in play. He had only the apology that it had never 
occurred to himself in this light. 

Then his pride and self-love suggested that, on the other 
hand, Richie, with all his good intentions, was little better 
than a conceited, pragmatical domestic, who seemed disposed 
rather to play the tutor than the lackey, and who, out of sheer 
love, as he alleged, to his master’s person, assumed the privi- 
lege of interfering with, and controlling, his actions, besides 
rendering him ridiculous in the gay world from the antiquated 
formality and intrusive presumption of his manners. 

Nigel’s eyes were scarce turned from the window, when his 
new landlord, entering, presented to him a slip of paper, care- 
fully bound round with a string of fiox-silk and sealed. “ It 
had been given in, ” he said, by a woman, who did not stop 
an instant.” The contents harped upon the same string 
which Richie Moniplies had already jarred. The epistle was 
in the following words : 

For the Right Honourable hands of Lord Glenvarloch, 

“ These, from a friend unknown : 

“ My Lord, 

“ You are trusting to an unhonest friend, and diminishing 
an honest reputation. An unknown but real friend of your 
lordship will speak in one word what you would not learn from 
flatterers in so many days as should suffice for your utter ruin. 
He whom you think most true — I say your friend. Lord Dal- 
garno — is utterly false to you, and doth but seek, under pre- 
tence of friendship, to mar your fortune, and diminish the 
good name by which you might mend it. The kind counte- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


221 


nance which he shows to you is more dangerous thau the 
Prince’s frown; even as to gain at Beaujeu’s ordinary is more 
discreditable than to lose. Beware of both. And this is all 
from your true but nameless friend, Ignoto.” 

Lord Glenvaiioch paused for an instant, and crushed the 
paper together — then again unfolded and read it with atten- 
tion — bent his brows — mused for a moment, and then tearing 
it to fragments, exclaimed: ^‘Begone for a vile calumny! 
But I will watch — I will observe ” 

Thought after thought rushed on him ; but, upon the whole. 
Lord Glenvarloch was so little satisfied with the result of his 
own reflections, that he resolved to dissipate them by a walk in 
the Park, and, taking his cloak and beaver, went thither ac- 
cordingly. 


CHAPTER XV. 

’Twas when fleet Snowball’s head was woxen grey, 

A luckless lev’ ret met him on his way. 

Who knows not Snowball — he, whose race renown’d 
Is still victorious on each coursing-ground ? 

Swaffham, Newmarket, and the Roman Camp, 

Have seen them victors o’er each meaner stamp. 

In vain the youngling sought, with doubling wile, 

The hedge, the hill, the thicket, or the stile. 

Experience sage the lack of speed supplied. 

And in the gap he sought, the victim died. 

So was I once, in thy fair street, St. James, 

Through walking cavaliers and car-borne dames. 

Descried, pursued, turn’d o’er again, and o’er. 

Coursed, coted, mouth’d by an unfeeling bore. 

Etc. etc. etc. 

The Park of St. James’s, though enlarged, planted with 
verdant alleys, and otherwise decorated by Charles II., existed 
in the days of his grandfather as a public and pleasant prom- 
enade; and, for the sake of exercise or pastime, was much 
frequented by the better classes. 

Lord Glenvarloch repaired thither to dispel the unpleasant 
reflections which had been suggested by his parting with his 


222 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


trusty squire, Richie Moniplies, in a manner which was agree- 
able neither to his pride nor his feelings ; and by the corrobora- 
tion which the hints of his late attendant had received from 
the anonymous letter mentioned in the end of the last chapter. 

There was a considerable number of company in the Park 
when he entered it, but, his present state of mind inducing 
him to avoid society, he kept aloof from the more frequented 
walks towards Westminster and Whitehall, and drew to the 
north, or, as we should now say, the Piccadilly verge of the 
inclosure, believing he might there enjoy, or rather combat, 
his own thoughts unmolested. 

In this, however. Lord Glenvarloch was mistaken ; for, as 
he strolled slowly along with his arms folded in his cloak, 
and his hat drawn over his eyes, he was suddenly pounced 
upon by Sir Mungo Malagrowther, who, either shunning or 
shunned, had retreated, or had been obliged to retreat, to the 
same less frequented corner of the Park. 

Nigel started when he heard the high, sharp, and querulous 
tones of the knight’s cracked voice, and was no less alarm fed 
when he beheld his tall thin figure hobbling towards him, 
wrapped in a threadbare cloak, on whose surface ten thousand 
varied stains eclipsed the original scarlet, and having his head 
surmounted with a well-worn beaver, bearing a black velvet 
band for a chain, and a capon’s feather for an ostrich plume. 

Lord Glenvarloch would fain have made his escape, but, as 
our motto intimates, a leveret had as little chance to free her- 
self of an experienced greyhound. Sir Mungo, to continue 
the simile, had long ago learned to “run cunning,” and make 
sure of mouthing his game. So Nigel found himself compelled 
to stand and answer the hackneyed question : “ What news 
to-day?” 

“Nothing extraordinary, I believe,” answered the young 
nobleman, attempting to pass on. 

“ Oh, ye are ganging to the French ordinary belive, ” replied 
the knight; “but it is early day yet. We will take a turn in 
the Park in the mean while ; it will sharpen your appetite. ” 

So saying, he quietly slipped his arm under Lord Glenvar- 
loch ’s, in spite of all the decent reluctance which his victim 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


223 


could exhibit, by keeping his elbow close to his side; and hav- 
ing fairly grappled the prize, he proceeded to take it in tow. 

Nigel was sullen and silent, in hopes to shake off his un- 
pleasant companion ; but Sir Mungo was determined that, if 
he did not speak, he should at least hear. 

“Ye are bound for the ordinary, my lord?’’ said the cynic; 
“weel, ye canna do better: there is choice company there, 
and peculiarly selected, as I am tauld, being, dootless, sic as 
it is desirable that young noblemen should herd withal; and 
your noble father wad have been blythe to see you keeping 
such worshipful society.” 

“ I believe, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, thinking himself obliged 
to say something, “ that the society is as good as generally can 
be found in such places, where the door can scarcely be shut 
against those who come to spend their money.” 

“ Right, my lord — vera right, ” said his tormentor, bursting 
out into a chuckling, but most discordant, laugh. “These 
citizen chuffs and clowns will press in amongst us, when there 
is but an inch of a door open. And what remedy? Just e’en 
this, that as their cast gies them confidence, we should strip 
them of it. Flay them, my lord — singe them as the kitchen 
wench does the rats, and then they winna long to come back 
again. Ay — ay, pluck them, plume them; and then the 
larded capons will not be for flying so high a wing, my lord, 
among the goss-hawks and sparrow-hawks, and the like.” 

And therewithal Sir Mungo fixed on Nigel his quick, sharp, 
grey eye, watching the effect of his sarcasm as keenly as the 
surgeon, in a delicate operation, remarks the progress of his 
anatomical scalpel. 

Nigel, however willing to conceal his sensations, could not 
avoid gratifying his tormentor by wincing under the opera- 
tion. He coloured with vexation and anger; but a quarrel 
with Sir Mungo Malagrowther would, he felt, be unutterably 
ridiculous ; and he only muttered to himself the words, “ Im- 
pertinent coxcomb!” which, on this occasion. Sir Mungo’s 
imperfection of organ did not prevent him from hearing and 
replying to. 

“Ay — ay, vera true,” exclaimed the caustic old courtier. 


224 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ Impertinent coxcombs they are, that thus intrude themselves 
on the society of their betters j but your lordship kens how to 
gar them as gude — ye have the trick on^t. They had a braw 
sport in the presence last Friday, how ye suld have routed a 
young shopkeeper, horse and foot, ta’en his spolia opima, and 
a’ the specie he had about him, down to the very silver but- 
tons of his cloak, and sent him to graze with Nebuchadnezzar, 
king of Babylon. Muckle honour redounded to your lordship 
thereby. We were tauld the loon threw himsell into the 
Thames in a fit of desperation. There’s enow of them be- 
hind — there was mair tint on Flodden Edge. ” 

You have been told a budget of lies, so far as I am con- 
cerned, Sir Mungo,” said Nigel, speaking loud and sternly. 

‘‘Vera likely — vera likely,” said the unabashed and undis- 
mayed Sir Mungo; “naething but lies are current in the 
circle. So the chield is not drowned, then? — the mair’s the 
pity. But I never believed that part of the story ; a London 
dealer has mair wit in his anger. I dare swear the lad has a 
bonny broom- shank in his hand by this time, and is scrubbing 
the kennels in quest after rusty nails, to help him to begin his 
pack again. He has three bairns, they say ; they will help 
him bravely to grope in the gutters. Your good lordship may 
have the ruining of him again, my lord, if they have any luck 
in strand-scouring.” 

“This is more than intolerable,” said Nigel, uncertain 
whether to make an angry vindication of his character or to 
fling the old tormentor from his arm. But an instant’s recol- 
lection convinced him that to do either would only give an air 
of truth and consistency to the scandals which he began to see 
were affecting his character, both in the higher and lower cir- 
cles. Hastily, therefore, he formed the wiser resolution to 
endure Sir Mungo’s studied impertinence, under the hope of 
ascertaining, if possible, from what source those reports arose 
which were so prejudicial to his reputation. 

Sir Mungo, in the mean while, caught up, as usual, Nigel’s 
last words, or rather the sound of them, and amplified and 
interpreted them in his own way. “ Tolerable luck I” he 
repeated; “yes, truly, my lord, I am told that yoq have 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


226 


tolerable luck, and that ye ken weel how to use that jilt- 
ing quean, Dame Fortune, like a canny douce lad, willing to 
warm yourself in her smiles, without exposing yourself to her 
frowns. And that is what I ca’ having luck in a bag.” 

“ Sir Mungo Malagrowther, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, turning 
towards him seriously, “ have the goodness to hear me for a 
moment. ” 

^‘As weel as I can, my lord — as weel as I can,” said Sir 
Mungo, shaking his head, and pointing the finger of his left 
hand to his ear. 

“I will try to speak very distinctly,” said Nigel, arming 
himself with patience. “ You take me for a noted gamester ; 
I give you my word that you have not been rightly informed — 
I am none such. You owe me some explanation, at least, re- 
specting the source from which you have derived such false 
information. ” 

“ I never heard ye were a great gamester, and never thought 
or said ye were such, my lord,” said Sir Mungo, who found it 
impossible to avoid hearing what Nigel said with peculiarly 
deliberate and distinct pronunciation. I repeat it — I never 
heard, said, or thought that you were a ruffling gamester, such 
as they call those of the first head. Look you, my lord, I call 
him a gamester that plays with equal stakes and equal skill, 
and stands by the fortune of the game, good or bad; and I 
call him a ruffling gamester, or ane of the first head, who ven- 
tures frankly and deeply upon such a wager. But he, my 
lord, who has the patience and prudence never to venture be- 
yond small game, such as, at most, might crack the Christmas- 
box of a grocer’s ’prentice, who vies with those that have lit- 
tle to hazard, and who therefore, having the larger stock, can 
always rook them by waiting for his good fortune, and by ris- 
ing from the game when luck leaves him — such a one as he, 
my lord, I do not call a great gamester, to whatever other 
name he may be entitled.” 

“ And such a mean-spirited, sordid wretch you would infer 
that I am, ” replied Lord Glenvarloch — one who fears the 
skilful, and preys upon the ignorant; who avoids playing 
with his equals, that he may make sure of pillaging his in- 

16 


226 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


feriors? Is that what I am to imderstand has been reported 
of me?” 

“Nay, my lord, you will gain nought by speaking big with 
me, ” said Sir Mungo, who, besides that his sarcastic humour 
was really supported by a good fund of animal courage, had 
also full reliance on the immunities which he had derived 
from the broadsword of Sir Rullion Eattray and the baton of 
the satellites employed by the Lady Cockpen. “ And for the 
truth of the matter, ” he continued, “ your lordship best knows 
whether you ever lost more than five pieces at a time since 
you frequented Beaujeu’s ; whether you have not most com- 
monly risen a winner ; and whether the brave young gallants 
who frequent the ordinary — I mean those of noble rank and 
meahs conforming — are in use to play upon those terms?” 

“ My father was right, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, in the bit- 
terness of his spirit; “and his curse justly followed me when 
I first entered that place. There is contamination in the air, 
and he whose fortune avoids ruin shall be blighted in his 
honour and reputation.” 

Sir Mungo, who watched his victim with the delighted yet 
wary eye of an experienced angler, became now aware that, 
if he strained the line on him too tightly, there was every risk 
of his breaking hold. In order to give him room, there- 
fore, to play, he protested that Lord Glenvarloch “ should not 
take his free speech in malam partem. If you were a trifle 
ower sicker in your amusement, my lord, it canna be denied 
that it is the safest course to prevent farther endangerment of 
your somewhat dilapidated fortunes ; and if ye play with your 
inferiors, ye are relieved of the pain of pouching the siller of 
your friends and equals ; forbye, that the plebeian knaves have 
had the advantage, tecum certdsse, as Ajax Telamon sayeth, 
apud Metamorphoseos ; and for the like of them to have played 
with ane Scottish nobleman is an honest and honourable con- 
sideration to compensate the loss of their stake, whilk, I dare 
say, moreover, maist of the churls can weel afford.” 

“Be that as it may. Sir Mungo,” said Nigel, “I would fain 
know ” 

“Ay — ay,” interrupted Sir Mungo; “and, as you say, who 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


227 


cares whether the fat bulls of Bashan can spare it or no? gen- 
tlemen are not to limit their sport for the like of them. ” 

“ I wish to know, Sir Mungo, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, in 
what company you have learned these offensive particulars 
respecting me?” 

“Bootless — dootless, my lord,” said Sir Mungo; “1 have 
ever heard, and have ever reported, that your lordship kept 
the best of company in a private way. There is the fine 
Countess of Blackchester, but I think she stirs not much 
abroad since her affair with his Grace of Buckingham; and 
there is the gude auld-fashioned Scottish nobleman. Lord 
Huntinglen, an undeniable man of quality — it is pity but he 
could keep caup and can frae his head, whilk now and then 
doth ’minish his reputation; and there is the gay young Lord 
Dalgarno, that carries the craft of grey hairs under his curled 
love-locks. A fair race they are, father, daughter, and son, 
all of the same honourable family. I think we needna speak 
of George Heriot, honest man, when we have nobility in ques- 
tion. So that is the company I have heard of your keeping, 
my lord, out-taken those of the ordinary.” 

“My company has not, indeed, been much more extended 
than amongst those you mention,” said Lord Glenvarloch; 
“ but in short ” 

“To court?” said Sir Mungo, “that was just what I was 
going to say. Lord Dalgarno says he cannot prevail on ye to 
come to court, and that does ye prejudice, my lord. The King 
hears of you by others, when he should see you in person. I 
speak in serious friendship, my lord. His Majesty, when 
you were named in the circle short while since, was heard to 
say, ^Jacta est alea! Glenvarlochides is turned dicer and 
drinker.’ My Lord Dalgarno took your part, and he was 
e’en borne down by the popular voice of the courtiers, who 
spoke of you as one who had betaken yourself to living a town 
life, and risking your baron’s coronet amongst the flatcaps of 
the city.” 

“And this was publicly spoken of me,” said Nigel, “and 
in the King’s presence?” 

“ Spoken openly !” repeated Sir Mungo Malagrowther ; “ ay, 


228 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


by my troth was it; that is to say, it was whispered private- 
ly, whilk is as open promulgation as the thing permitted; for 
ye may think the court is not like a place where men are as 
sib as Simmie and his brother, and roar out their minds as if 
they were at an ordinary.” 

“ A curse on the court and the ordinary both!” cried Nigel, 
impatiently. 

“With all my heart,” said the knight. “I have got little 
by a knight’s service in the court; and the last time I was at 
the ordinary I lost four angels.” 

“May I pray of you. Sir Mungo, to let me know,” said 
Nigel, “ the names of those who thus make free with the char- 
acter of one who can be but little known to them, and who 
never injured any of them?” 

“ Have I not told you already, ” answered Sir Mungo, “ that 
the King said something to that effect — so did the Prince too ; 
and such being the case, ye may take it on your corporal oath 
that every man in the circle who was not silent sung the same 
song as they did.” 

“You said but now,” replied Glenvarloch, “that Lord Dal- 
garno interfered in my behalf.” 

“ In good troth did he, ” answered Sir Mungo, with a sneer ; 
“ but the young nobleman was soon borne down — by token, he 
had something of a catarrh, and spoke as hoarse as a roopit 
raven. Poor gentleman, if he had had his full extent of 
voice, he would have been as well listened to, dootless, as in 
a cause of his ain, whilk no man kens better how to plead to 
purpose. And let me ask you, by the way,” continued Sir 
Mungo, “whether Lord Halgarno has ever introduced your 
lordship to the Prince or the Duke of Buckingham, either.of 
whom might soon carry through your suit?” 

“ I have no claim on the favour of either the Prince or the 
Duke of Buckingham, ” said Lord Glenvarloch. “ As you seem 
to have made my affairs your study. Sir Mungo, although per- 
haps something unnecessarily, you may have heard that I have 
petitioned my sovereign for payment of a debt due to my fam- 
ily. I cannot doubt the King’s desire to do justice, nor can 
I in decency employ the solicitation of his Highness the Prince 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


229 


or his Grace the Duke of Buckingham to obtain from his 
Majesty what either should be granted me as a right or re- 
fused altogether.” 

Sir Mungo twisted his whimsical features into one of his 
most grotesque sneers, as he replied : “ It is a vera clear and 
parspicuous position of the case, my lord 5 and in relying 
thereupon you show an absolute and unimprovable acquaint- 
ance with the King, court, and mankind in general. But 
whom have we got here? Stand up, my lord, and make way; 
by my word of honour, they are the very men we spoke of : 
talk of the devil, and — humph!” 

It must be here premised that, during the conversation. Lord 
Glenvarloch, perhaps in the hope of shaking himself free of 
Sir Mungo, had directed their walk towards the more fre- 
quented part of the Park ; while the good knight had stuck to 
him, being totally indifferent which way they went, provided 
he could keep his talons clutched upon his companion. They 
were still, however, at some distance from the livelier part of 
the scene when Sir Mungo’s experienced eye noticed the ap- 
pearances which occasioned the latter part of his speech to 
Lord Glenvarloch. 

A low, respectful murmur arose among the numerous groups 
of persons which occupied the lower part of the Park. They 
first clustered together, with their faces turned towards White- 
hall, then fell back on either hand to give place to a splendid 
party of gallants, who, advancing from the palace, came onward 
through the Park ; all the other company drawing off the path- 
way and standing uncovered as they passed. 

Most of these courtly gallants were dressed in the garb which 
the pencil of Vandyke has made familiar even at the distance 
of nearly two centuries ; and which was just at this period 
beginning to supersede the more fluttering and frivolous dress 
which had been adopted from the French court of Henri 
Quatre. 

The whole train were uncovered excepting the Prince of 
Wales, afterwards the most unfortunate of British monarchs, 
who came onward, having his long curled auburn tresses, and 
his countenance, which, even in early youth, bore a shade of 


230 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


anticipated melancholy, shaded by the Spanish hat and the 
single ostrich feather which drooped from it. On his right 
hand was Buckingham, whose commanding, and at the same 
time graceful, deportment threw almost into shade the per- 
sonal demeanour and majesty of the prince on whom he at- 
tended. The eye, movements, and gestures of the great cour- 
tier were so composed, so regularly observant of all etiquette 
belonging to his situation, as to form a marked and strong 
contrast with the forward gaiety and frivolity by which he 
recommended himself to the favour of his “ dear dad and gos- 
sip, ” King J ames. A singular fate attended this accomplished 
courtier, in being at once the reigning favourite of a father and 
son so very opposite in manners that, to ingratiate himself with 
the youthful prince, he was obliged to compress within the 
strictest limits of respectful observance the frolicsome and 
free humour which captivated his aged father. 

It is true, Buckingham well knew the different dispositions 
both of James and Charles, and had no difficulty in so conduct- 
ing himself as to maintain the highest post in the favour of 
both. It has indeed been supposed, as we before hinted, that 
the duke, when he had completely possessed himself of the 
affections of Charles, retained his hold in those of the father 
only by the tyranny of custom ; and that James, could he have 
brought himself to form a vigorous resolution, was, in the lat- 
ter years of his life especially, not unlikely to have discarded 
Buckingham from his counsels and favour. But if ever the 
King indeed meditated such a change, he was too timid, and 
too much accustomed to the influence which the duke had long 
exercised over him, to summon up resolution enough for effect- 
ing such a purpose ; and at all events it is certain that Buck- 
ingham, though surviving the master by whom he was raised, 
had the rare chance to experience no wane of the most splendid 
court favour during two reigns, until it was at once eclipsed 
in his blood by the dagger of his assassin Felton. 

To return from this digression : The Prince, with his train, 
advanced, and were near the place where Lord Glenvarloch and 
Sir Mungo had stood aside, according to form, in order to give 
the Prince passage and to pay the usual marks of respect. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


231 


Nigel could now remark that Lord Dalgarno walked close be- 
hind the Duke of Buckingham, and, as he thought, whispered 
something in his ear as they came onward. At any rate, both 
the Prince’s and Duke of Buckingham’s attention seemed to be 
directed by some circumstance towards Nigel, for they turned 
their heads in that direction and looked at him attentively — 
the Prince with a countenance the grave, melancholy expres- 
sion of which was blended with severity, while Buckingham’s 
looks evinced some degree of scornful triumph. Lord Dal- 
garno did not seem to observe his friend, perhaps because the 
sunbeams fell from the side of the walk on which Nigel stood, 
obliging Malcolm to hold up his hat to screen his eyes. 

As the Prince passed. Lord Glenvarloch and Sir Mungo 
bowed, as respect required; and the Prince, returning their 
obeisance with that grave ceremony which paid to every rank 
its due, but not a tittle beyond it, signed to Sir Mungo to 
come forward. Commencing an apology for his lameness as 
he started, which he had just completed as his hobbling gait 
brought him up to the Prince, Sir Mungo lent an attentive, 
and, as it seemed, an intelligent, ear to questions asked in a 
tone so low that the knight would certainly have been deaf to 
them had they been put to him by any one under the rank of 
Prince of Wales. After about a minute’s conversation, the 
Prince bestowed on Nigel the embarrassing notice of anoth- 
er fixed look, touched his hat slightly to Sir Mungo, and 
walked on. 

“ It is even as I suspected, my lord, ” said Sir Mungo, with 
an air which he designed to be melancholy and sympathetic, 
but which, in fact, resembled the grin of an ape when he has 
mouthed a scalding chestnut. “Ye have back-friends, my 
lord, that is unfriends — or, to be plain, enemies — about the 
person of the Prince.” 

“I am sorry to hear it, ” said Nigel; “but I would I knew 
what they accuse me of.” 

“ Ye shall hear, my lord,” said Sir Mungo, “the Prince’s 
vera words. ‘Sir Mungo,’ said he, ‘I rejoice to see you, and 
am glad your rheumatic troubles permit you to come hither 
for exercise. ’ I bowed, as in duty bound ; ye might remark, 


232 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


my lord, that I did so, whilk formed the first branch of our 
conversation. His Highness then demanded of me, ‘If he 
with whom I stood was the young Lord Glenvarloch. ’ I an- 
swered, ‘that you were such, for his Highness’s service’ ; whilk 
was the second branch. Thirdly, his Highness, resuming the 
argument, said, that ‘truly he had been told so’ — meaning 
that he had been told you were that personage — ‘but that he 
could not believe that the heir of that noble and decayed house 
could be leading an idle, scandalous, and precarious life in the 
eating-houses and taverns of London, while the King’s drums 
were beating and colours flying in Germany in the cause of the 
Palatine, his son-in-law.’ I could, your lordship is aware, 
do nothing but make an obeisance; and a gracious ‘Give ye 
good day. Sir Mungo Malagrowther, ’ licensed me to fall back 
to your lordship. And now, my lord, if your business or 
pleasure calls you to the ordinary, or anywhere in the direc- 
tion of the city — why, have with you; for, dootless, ye will 
think ye have tarried lang enough in the Park, as they will 
likely turn at the head of the walk, and return this way ; and 
you have a broad hint, I think, not to cross the Prince’s pres- 
ence in a hurry.” 

“ You may stay or go, as you please. Sir Mungo,” said Nigel, 
with an expression of calm but deep resentment ; “ but, for my 
own part, my resolution is taken. I will quit this public walk 
for pleasure of no man ; still less will I quit it like one un- 
worthy to be seen in places of public resort. I trust that the 
Prince and his retinue will return this way as you expect ; for 
I will abide. Sir Mungo, and beard them.” 

“Beard them!” exclaimed Sir Mungo, in the extremity of 
surprise — “ beard the Prince of Wales, the heir-apparent of the 
kingdoms! By my saul, you shall beard him yoursell then.” 

Accordingly, he was about to leave Nigel very hastily, when 
some unwonted touch of good-natured interest in his youth and 
inexperience seemed suddenly to soften his habitual cynicism. 

“The devil is in me for an auldfule!” said Sir Mungo; 
“ but I must needs concern mysell — I that owe so little either 
to fortune or my fellow-creatures, must, I say, needs concern 
mysell — with this springald, whom I will warrant to be as 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


233 


obstinate as a pig possessed with a devil, for iUs the cast of 
his family ; and yet I maun e’en fling away some sound advice 
on him. My dainty young Lord Glenvarloch, understand me 
distinctly, for this is no bairn’ s-play. When the Prince said 
sae much to me as I have repeated to you, it was equivalent 
to a command not to appear again in his presence j wherefore, 
take an auld man’s advice that wishes you weel, and maybe 
a wee thing better than he has reason to wish ony body. Jouk 
and let the jaw gae by, like a canny bairn; gang hame to your 
lodgings, keep your foot frae taverns and your fingers frae the 
dice-box ; compound your affairs quietly wi’ some ane that has 
better favour than yours about court, and you will get a round 
spell of money to carry you to Germany, or elsewhere, to push 
your fortune. It was a fortunate soldier that made your fam- 
ily four or five hundred years syne, and if you are brave and 
fortunate, you may find the way to repair it. But, take my 
word for it, that in this court you will never thrive.” 

When Sir Mungo had completed his exhortation, in which 
there was more of sincere sympathy with another’s situation 
than he had been heretofore known to express in behalf of any 
one. Lord Glenvarloch replied : ‘‘ I am obliged to you. Sir Mun- 
go; you have spoken, I think, with sincerity, and I thank 
you. But, in return for your good advice, I heartily entreat 
you to leave me ; I observe the Prince and his train are re- 
turning down the walk, and you may prejudice yourself, but 
cannot help me, by remaining with me.” 

“ And that is true, ” said Sir Mungo ; “ yet, were I ten years 
younger, I would be tempted to stand by you, and gie them the 
meeting. But at threescore and upward men’s courage turns 
cauldrife; and they that canna win a living must not endanger 
the small sustenance of their age. I wish you weel through, 
my lord, but it is an unequal fight.” So saying, he turned 
and limped away ; often looking back, however, as if his nat- 
ural spirit, even in its present subdued state, aided by his 
love of contradiction and of debate, rendered him unwilling to 
adopt the course necessary for his own security. 

Thus abandoned by his companion, whose . departure he 
graced with better thoughts of him than those which he be- 


234 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


stowed on his appearance, Nigel remained with his arms 
folded, and reclining against a solitary tree which overhung 
the path, making up his mind to encounter a moment which 
he expected to be critical of his fate. But he was mistaken 
in supposing that the Prince of Wales would either address 
him or admit him to expostulation in such a public place as 
the Park. He did not remain unnoticed, however, for, when 
he made a respectful but haughty obeisance, intimating in look 
and manner that he was possessed of, and undaunted by, the 
unfavourable opinion which the Prince had so lately ex- 
pressed, Charles returned his reverence with such a frown 
as is only given by those whose frown is authority and deci- 
sion. The train passed on, the Duke of Buckingham not even 
appearing to see Lord Glenvarloch; while Lord Dalgarno, 
though no longer incommoded by the sunbeams, kept his 
eyes, which had perhaps been dazzled by their former splen- 
dour, bent upon the ground. 

Lord Glenvarloch had difficulty to restrain an indignation to 
which, in the circumstances, it would have been madness to 
have given vent. He started from his reclining posture, and 
followed the Prince’s train so as to keep them distinctly in 
sight; which was very easy, as they walked slowly. Nigel 
observed them keep their road towards the palace, where the 
Prince turned at the gate and bowed to the noblemen in at- 
tendance, in token of dismissing them, and entered the palace, 
accompanied only by the Duke of Buckingham and one or two 
of his equerries. The rest of the train, having returned in all 
dutiful humility the farewell of the Prince, began to disperse 
themselves through the Park. 

All this was carefully noticed by Lord Glenvarloch, who, as 
he adjusted his cloak and drew his sword-belt round so as to 
bring the hilt closer to his hand, muttered : ‘‘ Dalgarno shall 
explain all this to me, for it is evident that he is in the 
secret!” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


235 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Give way — ^give way ; I must and will have justice. 

And tell me not of privilege and place ; 

Where I am injured, there I’ll sue redress. 

Look to it, every one who bars my access ; 

I have a heart to feel the injury, 

A hand to right myself, and, by my honour. 

That hand shall grasp what grey-beard Law denies me. 

The Chamberlain. 

It was not long ere Nigel discovered Lord Dalgarno advanc- 
ing towards him in the company of another young man of 
quality of the Princess train; and as they directed their 
course towards the southeastern corner of the Park, he con- 
cluded they were about to go to Lord Huntinglen’s. They 
stopped, however, and turned up another path leading to the 
north ; and Lord Glenvarloch conceived that this change of 
direction was owing to their having seen him, and their desire 
to avoid him. 

Nigel followed them without hesitation by a path which, 
winding around a thicket of shrubs and trees, once more con- 
ducted him to the less frequented part of the Park. He ob- 
served which side of the thicket was taken by Lord Dalgarno 
and his companion, and he himself, walking hastily round 
the other verge, was thus enabled to meet them face to face. 

Good-morrow, my Lord Dalgarno, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, 
sternly. 

^‘Ha! my friend Nigel, answered Lord Dalgarno, in his 
usual careless and indifferent tone — “ my friend Nigel, with 
business on his brow? But you must wait till we meet at 
Beaujeu’s at noon: Sir Ewes Haldimund and I are at present 
engaged in the Prince’s service.” 

“If you were engaged in the Kiug’s, my lord,” said Lord 
Glenvarloch, “ you must stand and answer me. ” 

“Hey-day!” said Lord Dalgarno, with an air of great as- 
tonishment, “what passion is this? Why, Nigel, this is King 
Cambyses’ vein ! Vou have frequented the theatres too much 
lately. Away with this folly, man ; go, dine upon soup and 


236 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


salad, drink succory-water to cool your blood, go to bed at 
suudowu, and defy those foul fiends, wrath and miscon- 
struction. ’’ 

I have had misconstruction enough among you, ’’ said Glen- 
varloch, in the same tone of determined displeasure, “ and 
from you, my Lord Dalgarno, in particular, and all under the 
mask of friendship.” 

“Here is a proper business!” said Dalgarno, turning as if 
to appeal to Sir Ewes Haldimund. “ Do you see this angry 
ruffler. Sir Ewes? A month since, he dared not have looked 
one of yonder sheep in the face, and now he is a prince of 
roisterers, a plucker of pigeons, a controller of players and 
poets ; and in gratitude for my having shown him the way to 
the eminent character which he holds upon town, he comes 
hither to quarrel with his best friend, if not his only one of 
decent station.” 

“I renounce such hollow friendship, my lord,” said Lord 
Glenvarloch; “I disclaim the character which, even to my 
very face, you labour to fix upon me, and ere we part I will 
call you to a reckoning for it.” 

“My lords both,” interrupted Sir Ewes Haldimund, “let 
me remind you that the royal park is no place to quarrel in.” 

“I will make my quarrel good,” said Nigel, who did not 
know, or in his passion might not have recollected, the privi- 
leges of the place, “wherever I find my enemy.” 

“ You shall find quarrelling enough, ” replied Lord Dalgar- 
no, calmly, “ so soon as you assign a sufficient cause for it. Sir 
Ewes Haldimund, who knows the court, will warrant you that 
I am not backward on such occasions. But of what is it that 
you now complain, after having experienced nothing save kind- 
ness from me and my family?” 

“Of your family I complain not,” replied Lord Glenvar- 
loch; “ they have done for me all they could, — more, far more, 
than I could have expected; but you, my lord, have suffered 
me, while you called me your friend, to be traduced, where 
a word of your mouth would have placed my character in 
its true colours; and hence the injurious message which I 
just now received from the Prince of Wales. To permit the 


THE FORTUISrES OF NIGEL. 


237 


misrepresentation of a friend, my lord, is to share in the 
slander. ” 

“You have been misinformed, my Lord Glenvarloch, ” said 
Sir Ewes Haldimund : “ I have myself often heard Lord Dal- 
garno defend your character, and regret that your exclusive 
attachment to the pleasures of a London life prevented your 
paying your duty regularly to the King and Prince. ” 

“ While he himself, said Lord Glenvarloch, “ dissuaded me 
from presenting myself at court.” 

“ I wiU cut this matter short, ” said Lord Dalgarno, with 
haughty coldness. “ You seem to have conceived, my lord, 
that you and I were Pylades and Orestes — a second edition 
of Damon and Pythias — Theseus and Pirithous at the least. 
You are mistaken, and have given the name of friendship to 
what, on my part, was mere good-nature and compassion for 
a raw and ignorant countryman, joined to the cumbersome 
charge which my father gave me respecting you. Your char- 
acter, my lord, is of no one^s drawing, but of your own mak- 
ing. I introduced you where, as in all such places, there was 
good and indifferent company to be met with j your habits, or 
taste, made you prefer the worse. Your holy horror at the 
sight of dice and cards degenerated into the cautious resolu- 
tion to play only at those times, and with such persons, as 
might ensure your rising a winner ; no man can long do so, 
and continue to be held a gentleman. Such is the reputation 
you have made for yourself, and you have no right to be angry 
that I do not contradict in society what yourself know to be 
true. Let us pass on, my lord ; and if you want further ex- 
planation, seek some other time and fitter place.” 

“No time can be better than the present,” said Lord Glen- 
varloch, whose resentment was now excited to the uttermost by 
the cold-blooded and insulting manner in which Dalgarno vin- 
dicated himself, “ no place fitter than the place where we now 
stand. Those of my house have ever avenged insult at the 
moment, and on the spot where it was offered, were it at the 
foot of the throne. Lord Dalgarno, you are a villain ! draw 
and defend yourself.” At the same time he unsheathed his 
rapier. 


238 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ Are you mad?” said Lord Dalgarno, stepping back ; “ we 
are in the precincts of the court.” 

“ The better, ” answered Lord Glenvarloch ; ‘‘ I will cleanse 
them from a calumniator and a coward. ” He then pressed on 
Lord Dalgarno, and struck him with the flat of the sword. 

The fray had now attracted attention, and the cry went 
round : “ Keep the peace — keep the peace — swords drawn in 
the Park! What, ho! guards! — keepers — yeomen rangers!” 
and a number of people came rushing to the spot from all 
sides. 

Lord Dalgarno, who had half drawn his sword on receiving 
the blow, returned it to his scabbard when he observed the 
crowd thicken, and, taking Sir Ewes Haldimund by the arm, 
walked hastily away, only saying to Lord Glenvarloch as they 
left him : “You shall dearly abye this insult — we will meet 
again.” 

A decent-looking elderly man, who observed that Lord 
Glenvarloch remained on the spot, taking compassion on his 
youthful appearance, said to him : “ Are you aware this is a 
Star Chamber business, young gentleman, and that it may cost 
you your right hand? Shift for yourself before the keepers 
or constables come up. Get into Whitefriars or somewhere, 
for sanctuary and concealment, till you can make friends or 
quit the city.” 

The advice was not to be neglected. Lord Glenvarloch 
made hastily towards the issue from the Park by St. Jameses 
Palace, then St. James’s Hospital. The hubbub increased 
behind him ; and several peace-ofB.cers of the royal household 
came up to apprehend the delinquent. Eortunately for Nigel, 
a popular edition of the cause of the affray had gone abroad. 
It was said that one of the Duke of Buckingham’s companions 
had insulted a stranger gentleman from the country, and that 
the stranger had cudgelled him soundly. A favourite, or the 
companion of a favourite, is always odious to John Bull, who 
has, besides, a partiality to those disputants who proceed, as 
lawyers term it, jpar voye du fait, and both prejudices were in 
Nigel’s favour. The officers, therefore, who came to appre- 
hend him could learn from the spectators no particulars of his 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


239 


appearance, or information concerning the road he had taken ; 
so that, for the moment, he escaped being arrested. 

What Lord Glenvarloch heard among the crowd as he passed 
along was sufficient to satisfy him that, in his impatient pas- 
sion, he had placed himself in a predicament of considerable 
danger. He was no stranger to the severe and arbitrary pro- 
ceedings of the Court of Star Chamber, especially in cases of 
breach of privilege, which made it the terror of all men ; and 
it was no farther back than the Queen’s time that the punish- 
ment of mutilation had been actually awarded and executed for 
some offence of the same kind which he had just committed. 
He had also the comfortable reflection that, by his violent 
quarrel with Lord Dalgarno, he must now forfeit the friend- 
ship and good offices of that nobleman’s father and sister, 
almost the only persons of consideration in whom he could 
claim any interest ; while all the evil reports which had been 
put in circulation concerning his character were certain to 
weigh heavily against him, in a case where much must neces- 
sarily depend on the reputation of the accused. To a youth- 
ful imagination, the idea of such a punishment as mutilatioii 
seems more ghastly than death itself ; and every word which 
he overheard among the groups which he met, mingled with, 
or overtook and passed, announced this as the penalty of his 
offence. He dreaded to increase his pace for fear of attracting 
suspicion, and more than once saw the ranger’s officers so near 
him, that his wrist tingled as if already under the blade of the 
dismembering knife. At length he got out of the Park, and 
had a little more leisure to consider what he was next to do. 

Whitefriars, adjacent to the Temple, then well known by 
the cant name of Alsatia, had at this time, and for nearly a 
century afterwards, the privilege of a sanctuary, unless against 
the writ of the Lord Chief Justice or of the lords of the privy 
council. Indeed, as the place abounded with desperadoes of 
every description — bankrupt citizens, ruined gamesters, irre- 
claimable prodigals, desperate duellists, bravoes, homicides, 
and debauched profligates of every description, all leagued 
together to maintain the immunities of their asylum — it was 
both difficult and unsafe for the officers of the law to execute 


240 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


warrants emanating even from the highest authority, amongst 
men whose safety was inconsistent with warrants or authority 
of any kind. This Lord Glenvarloch well knew; and odious 
as the place of refuge was, it seemed the only one where, for 
a space at least, he might be concealed and secure from the 
immediate grasp of the law, until he should have leisure to 
provide better for his safety, or to get this unpleasant matter 
in some shape accommodated. 

Meanwhile, as Nigel walked hastily forward towards the 
place of sanctuary, he bitterly blamed himself for suffering 
Lord Dalgarno to lead him into the haunts of dissipation ; and 
no less accused his intemperate heat of passion, which now 
had driven him for refuge into the purlieus of profane and 
avowed vice and debauchery. 

“ Dalgarno spoke but too truly in that, were his bitter 
reflections ; “ I have made myself an evil reputation by act- 
ing on his insidious counsels, and neglecting the wholesome 
admonitions which ought to have claimed implicit obedience 
from me, and which recommended abstinence even from the 
slightest approach to evil. But if I escape from the perilous 
labyrinth in which folly and inexperience, as well as violent 
passions, have involved me, I will And some noble way of 
redeeming the lustre of a name which was never sullied until 
I bore it.” 

As Lord Glenvarloch formed these prudent resolutions, he 
entered the Temple Walks, whence a gate at that time opened 
into Whitefriars, by which, as by the more private passage, 
he proposed to betake himseK to the sanctuary. As he ap- 
proached the entrance to that den of infamy, from which his 
mind recoiled even while in the act of taking shelter there, 
his pace slackened, while the steep and broken stairs reminded 
him of the facilis descensus Averni^ and rendered him doubtful 
whether it were not better to brave the worst which could 
befall him in the public haunts of honourable men than to 
evade punishment by secluding himself in those of avowed 
vice and profligacy. 

As Nigel hesitated, a young gentleman of the Temple ad- 
vanced towards him, whom he had often seen, and sometimes 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


241 


conversed with, at the ordinary, where he was a frequent and 
welcome guest, being a wild young gallant, indifferently well 
provided with money, who spent at the theatres and other 
gay places of public resort the time which his father supposed 
he was employing in the study of the law. But Reginald 
Lowestoffe, such was the young Templar’s name, was of 
opinion that little law was necessary to enable him to spend 
the revenues of the paternal acres which were to devolve upon 
him at his father’s demise, and therefore gave himself no 
trouble to acquire more of that science than might be imbibed 
along with the learned air of the region in which he had his 
chambers. In other respects he was one of the wits of the 
place, read Ovid and Martial, aimed at quick repartee and 
pun (often very far fetched), danced, fenced, played at tennis, 
and performed sundry tunes on the fiddle and French horn, to 
the great annoyance of old Counsellor Barratter, who lived in 
the chambers immediately below him. Such was Reginald 
Lowestoffe, shrewd, alert, and well acquainted with the town 
through all its recesses, but in a sort of disreputable way. 
This gallant, now approaching the Lord Glenvarloch, saluted 
him by name and title, and asked if his lordship designed 
for the Chevalier’s this day, observing, it was near noon, and 
the woodcock would be on the board ere they could reach the 
ordinary. 

“ I do not go there to-day, ” answered Lord Glenvarloch. 

Which way, then, my lord?” said the young Templar, 
who was perhaps not undesirous to parade a part at least of 
the street in company with a lord, though but a Scottish one- 

“I — I,” said Nigel, desiring to avail himself of this young 
man’s local knowledge, yet unwilling and ashamed to ac- 
knowledge his intention to take refuge in so disreputable a 
quarter, or to describe the situation in which he stood — “I 
have some curiosity to see Whitefriars.” 

^‘What! your lordship is for a frolic into Alsatia?” said 
Lowestoffe. “Have with you, my lord; you cannot have a 
better guide to the infernal regions than myself. I promise 
you there are bona-robas to be found there — good wine too, 
ay, and good fellows to drink it with, though somewhat suffer- 
16 


242 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


ing under the frowns of Fortune. But your lordship will 
pardon me; you are the last of our acquaintance to whom I 
would have proposed such a voyage of discovery.” 

“ I am obliged to you, Master Lowestoffe, for the good 
opinion you have expressed in the observation,” said Lord 
Glenvarloch; “ but my present circumstances may render even 
a residence of a day or two in the sanctuary a matter of 
necessity. ” 

“Indeed!” said Lowestoffe, in a tone of great surprise; “I 
thought your lordship had always taken care not to risk any 
considerable stake. I beg pardon, but if the bones have 
proved perfidious, I know just so much law as that a peer^s 
person is sacred from arrest ; and for mere impecuniosity, my 
lord, better shift can be made elsewhere than in Whitefriars, 
where all are devouring each other for very poverty.” 

“ My misfortune has no connexion with want of money, ” 
said Nigel. 

“Why, then, I suppose,” said Lowestoffe, “you have been 
tilting, my lord, and have pinked your man ; in which case, 
and with a purse reasonably furnished, you may lie perdu in 
Whitefriars for a twelvemonth. - Marry, but you must be 
entered and received as a member of their worshipful society, 
my lord, and a frank burgher of Alsatia ; so far you must con- 
descend, there will be neither peace nor safety for you else.” 

“ My fault is not in a degree so deadly. Master Lowestoffe,” 
answered Lord Glenvarloch, “as you seem to conjecture; I 
have stricken a gentleman in the Park, that is all.” 

“ By my hand, my lord, and you had better have struck 
your sword through him at Barns Elms,” said the Templar. 
“ Strike within the verge of the court ! You will find that a 
weighty dependence upon your hands, especially if your party 
be of rank and have favour.” 

“I will.be plain with you. Master Lowestoffe,” said Nigel, 
“ since I have gone thus far. The person I struck was Lord 
Dalgarno, whom you have seen at Beaujeu^s.” 

“ A follower and favourite of the Duke of Buckingham ! It 
is a most unhappy chance, my lord ; but my heart was formed 
in England, and cannot bear to see a young nobleman borne 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL- 


243 


down, as you are like to be. We converse here greatly too 
open for your circumstances. The Templars would suffer no 
bailiff to execute a writ, and no gentleman to be arrested for 
a duel, within their precincts ; but in such a matter between 
Lord Dalgarno and your lordship there might be a party on 
either side. You must away with me instantly to my poor 
chambers here, hard by, and undergo some little change of 
dress ere you take sanctuary, for else you will have the whole 
rascal rout of the Friars about you, like crows upon a falcon 
that strays into their rookery. We must have you arrayed 
something more like a native of Alsatia, or there will be no 
life there for you.” 

While Lowestoffe spoke, he pulled Lord Glenvarloch along 
with him into his chambers, where he had a handsome library, 
filled with all the poems and play-books which were then in 
fashion. The Templar then despatched a boy who waited 
upon him, to procure a dish or two from the next cook’s shop. 
“And this,” he said, “must be your lordship’s dinner, with a 
glass of old sack, of which my grandmother — the Heavens 
requite her! — sent me a dozen bottles, with charge to use the 
liquor only with clarified whey, when I felt my breast ache 
with overstudy. Marry, we will drink the good lady’s health 
in it, if it is your lordship’s pleasure, and you shall see how 
we poor students eke out our mutton-commons in the hall.” 

The outward door of the chambers was barred so soon as 
the boy had re-entered with the food ; the boy was ordered to 
keep close watch, and admit no one; and Lowestoffe, by ex- 
ample and precept, pressed his noble guest to partake of his 
hospitality. His frank and forward manners, though much 
differing from the courtly ease of Lord Dalgarno, were calcu- 
lated to make a favourable impression ; and Lord Glenvarloch, 
though his experience of Dalgarno’ s perfidy had taught him 
to be cautious of reposing faith in friendly professions, could 
not avoid testifying his gratitude to the young Templar, who 
seemed so anxious for his safety and accommodation. 

“ You may spare your gratitude any great sense of obliga- 
tion, my lord,” said the Templar. “No doubt I am willing 
to be of use to any gentleman that has cause to sing ^Fortune 


244 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


my foe, ’ and particularly proud to serve your lordship’s turn ; 
but I have also an old grudge, to speak Heaven’s truth, at 
your opposite. Lord Dalgarno.” 

“May I ask upon what account. Master Lowestoffe?” said 
Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ Oh, my lord, ” replied the Templar, “ it was for a hap that 
chanced after you left the ordinary, one evening about three 
weeks since — at least I think you were not by, as your lord- 
ship always left us before deep play began — I mean no offence, 
but such was your lordship’s custom — when there were words 
between Lord Dalgarno and me concerning a certain game at 
gleek, and a certain mournival of aces held by his lordship, 
which went for eight — tib, which went for fifteen — twenty- 
three in all. Now, I held king and queen, being three — a 
natural towser, making fifteen — and tiddy, nineteen. We 
vied the ruff, and revied, as your lordship may suppose, till 
the stake was equal to half my yearly exhibition — fifty as fair 
yellow canary birds as e’er chirped in the bottom of a green 
silk purse. Well, my lord, I gained the cards, and lo you! it 
pleases his lordship to say that we played without tiddy ; and 
as the rest stood by and backed him, and especially the shark- 
ing Erenchman, why, I was obliged to lose more than I shall 
gain all the season. So judge if I have not a crow to pluck 
with his lordship. Was it ever heard there was a game at 
gleek at the ordinary before without counting tiddy? Marry 
guep upon his lordship! Every man who comes there with 
his purse in his hand is as free to make new laws as he, I 
hope, since touch pot touch penny makes every man equal. ” 

As Master Lowestoffe ran over this jargon of the gaming- 
table, Lord Glenvarloch was both ashamed and mortified, and 
felt a severe pang of aristocratic pride when he concluded in 
the sweeping clause that the dice, like the grave, levelled 
those distinguishing points of society to which Nigel’s early 
prejudices clung perhaps but too fondly. It was impossible, 
however, to object anything to the learned reasoning of the 
young Templar, and therefore Nigel was contented to turn the 
conversation by making some inquiries respecting the present 
state of Whitefriars. There also his host was at home. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


245 


‘^You know, my lord,” said Master Lowestoffe, ‘Hhat we 
Templars are a power and a dominion within ourselves, and I 
am proud to say that I hold some rank in our republic — ^was 
treasurer to the Lord of Misrule last year, and am at this present 
moment in nomination for that dignity myself. In such cir- 
cumstances, we are under the necessity of maintaining an ami- 
cable intercourse with our neighbours of Alsatia, even as the 
Christian states find themselves often, in mere policy, obliged 
to make alliance with the Grand Turk or the Barbary states.” 

“ I should have imagined you gentlemen of the Temple more 
independent of your neighbours, ” said Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ You do us something too much honour, my lord, ” said the 
Templar ; “ the Alsatians and we have some common enemies, 
and we have, under the rose, some common friends. We are 
in the use of blocking all bailiffs out of our bounds, and we are 
powerfully aided by our neighbours, who tolerate not a rag 
belonging to them within theirs. Moreover, the Alsatians 
have — I beg you to understand me — the power of protecting 
or distressing our friends, male or female, who may be obliged 
to seek sanctuary within their bounds. In short, the two com- 
munities serve each other, though the league is between states 
of unequal quality, and I may myself say that I have treated 
of sundry weighty affairs, and have been a negotiator well 
approved on both sides. But hark — hark, what is that?” 

The sound by which Master Lowestoffe was interrupted was 
that of a distant horn, winded loud and keenly, and followed 
by a faint and remote huzza. 

“There is something doing,” said Lowestoffe, “in the 
Whitefriars at this moment. That is the signal when their 
privileges are invaded by tipstaff or bailiff ; and at the blast 
of the horn they all swarm out to the rescue, as bees when 
their hive is disturbed. Jump, Jim,” he said, calling out to 
the attendant, “ and see what they are doing in Alsatia. That 
bastard of a boy, ” he continued, as the lad, accustomed to the 
precipitate haste of his master, tumbled rather than ran out 
of the apartment, and so downstairs, “is worth gold in this 
quarter : he serves six masters, four of them in distinct num- 
bers, and you would think him present like a fairy at the 


246 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


mere wish of him that for the time most needs his attendance. 
No scout in Oxford, no gip in Cambridge, ever matched him 
in speed and intelligence. He knows the step of a dun from 
that of a client when it reaches the very bottom of the stair- 
case ; can tell the trip of a pretty wench from the step of a 
bencher when at the upper end of the court; and is, take him 

all in all But I see your lordship is anxious. May I 

press another cup of my kind grandmother’s cordial, or will 
you allow me to show you my wardrobe, and act as your valet 
or groom of the chamber?” 

Lord Glenvarloch hesitated not to acknowledge that he was 
painfully sensible of his present situation, and anxious to do 
what must needs be done for his extrication. 

The good-natured and thoughtless young Templar readily 
acquiesced, and led the way into his little bedrooni^, where, 
from bandboxes, portmanteaus, mail-trunks, not forgetting an 
old walnut-tree wardrobe, he began to select the articles which 
he thought best suited effectually to disguise his guest in ven- 
turing into the lawless and turbulent society of Alsatia. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

Come hither, young one. Mark me ! Thou art now 
’Mongst men o’ the sword, that live by reputation 
More than by constant income. Single-suited 
They are, I grant you ; yet each single suit 
Maintains, on the rough guess, a thousand followers ; 

And they be men, who, hazarding their all, 

Needful apparel, necessary income. 

And human body, and immortal soul. 

Do in the very deed but hazard nothing ; 

So strictly is that all bound in reversion — 

Clothes to the broker, income to the usurer. 

And body to disease, and soul to the foul fiend, 

Who laughs to see soldadoes and fooladoes 
Play better than himself his game on earth. 

The Mohocks. 

“Your lordship,” said Reginald Lowestoffe, “must be con- 
tent to exchange your decent and court-beseeming rapier, 
which I will retain in safe keeping, for this broadsword, with 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


247 


an hundredweight of rusty iron about the hilt, and to wear 
these huge-paned slops instead of your civil and moderate 
hose. We allow no cloak, for your ruffian always walks in 
cuerpo; and the tarnished doublet of bald velvet, with its dis- 
coloured embroidery, and — I grieve to speak it — a few stains 
from the blood of the grape, will best suit the garb of a roar- 
ing boy. I will leave you to change your suit for an instant, 
till I can help to truss you.” 

LowestofPe retired, while slowly and with hesitation Nigel 
obeyed his instructions. He felt displeasure and disgust at 
the scoundrelly disguise which he was under the necessity of 
assuming; but when he considered the bloody consequences 
which law attached to his rash act of violence, the easy and 
indifferent temper of James, the prejudices of his son, the 
overbearing influence of the Duke of Buckingham, which was 
sure to be thrown into the scale against him ; and, above all, 
when he reflected that he must now look upon the active, 
assiduous, and insinuating Lord Dalgarno as a bitter enemy, 
reason told him he was in a situation of peril which author- 
ised all honest means, even the most unseemly in outward 
appearance, to extricate himself from so dangerous a pre- 
dicament. 

While he was changing his dress, and musing on these par- 
ticulars, his friendly host re-entered the sleeping-apartment. 
^‘Zounds!” he said, ^^my lord, it was well you went not 
straight into that same Alsatia of ours at the time you pro- 
posed, for the hawks have stooped upon it. Here is Jim 
come back with tidings that he saw a pursuivant there with a 
privy council warrant, and half a score of yeomen assistants 
armed to the teeth, and the horn which we heard was sound- 
ed to call out the posse of the Friars. Indeed, when old Duke 
Hildebrod saw that the quest was after some one of whom he 
knew nothing, he permitted, out of courtesy, the man-catcher 
to search through his dominions, quite certain that they would 
take little by their motions ; for Duke Hildebrod is a most 
judicious potentate. Go back, you bastard, and bring us word 
when all is quiet.” 

“ And who may Duke Hildebrod be?” said Lord Glenvarloch. 


248 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Nouns! my lord,” said the Templar, “have you lived so 
long on the town and never heard of the valiant, and as wise 
and politic as valiant, Duke Hildebrod, grand protector of 
the liberties of Alsatia? I thought the man had never whirled 
a die but was familiar with his fame.” 

“Yet I have never heard of him. Master Lowes toff e, ” said 
Lord Glenvarloch; “or, what is the same thing, I have paid 
no attention to aught that may have passed in conversation 
respecting him.” 

“Why, then,” said Lowestoffe — “but, first, let me have the 
honour of trussing you. Now, observe, I have left several 
of the points untied of set purpose; and if it please you to 
let a small portion of your shirt be seen betwixt your doublet 
and the band of your upper stock, it will have so much the 
more rakish effect, and will attract you respect in Alsatia, 
where linen is something scarce. Now, I tie some of the 
points carefully asquint, for your rufiianly gallant never ap- 
pears too accurately trussed — so.” 

“ Arrange it as you will, sir,” said Nigel; “ but let me hear 
at least something of the conditions of the unhappy district 
into which, with other wretches, I am compelled to retreat.” 

“Why, my lord,” replied the Templar, “our neighbouring 
state of Alsatia, which the law calls the sanctuary of White- 
friars, has had its mutations and revolutions like greater king- 
doms ; and being in some sort a lawless, arbitrary government, 
it follows, of course, that these have been more frequent than 
our own better regulated commonwealth of the Templars, that 
of Gray’s Inn, and other similar associations, have had the 
fortune to witness. Our traditions and records speak of 
twenty revolutions within the last twelve years, in which the 
aforesaid state has repeatedly changed from absolute despot- 
ism to republicanism, not forgetting the intermediate stages 
of oligarchy, limited monarchy, and even gynocracy; for I 
myself remember Alsatia governed for nearly nine months by 
an old fishwoman. Then it fell under the dominion of a 
broken attorney, who was dethroned by a reformado captain, 
who, proving tyrannical, was deposed by a hedge-parson, 
who was succeeded, upon resignation of his power, by Duke 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


249 


Jacob Hildebrod, of that name the first, whom Heaven long 
preserve.” 

And is this potentate’s government,” said Lord Glenvar- 
loch, forcing himself to take some interest in the conversation, 
“of a despotic character?” 

“ I’ardon me, my lord, ” said the Templar ; “ this said sov- 
ereign is too wise to incur, like many of his predecessors, the 
odium of wielding so important an authority by his own sole 
will. He has established a council of state, who regularly 
meet for their morning’s draught at seven o’clock; convene a 
second time at eleven for their ante-meridiem^ or whet; and, 
assembling in solemn conclave at the hour of two afternoon, 
for the purpose of consulting for the good of the common- 
wealth, are so prodigal of their labour in the service of the 
state that they seldom separate before midnight. Into this 
worthy senate, composed partly of Duke Hildebrod’ s prede- 
cessors in his high office, whom he has associated with him 
to prevent the envy attending sovereign and sole authority, I 
must presently introduce your lordship, that they may admit 
you to the immunities of the Friars, and assign you a place of 
residence. ” 

“Does their authority extend to such regulation?” said 
Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ The council account it a main point of their privileges, 
my lord,” answered Lowestoffe; “and, in fact, it is one of 
the most powerful means by which they support their author- 
ity. For when Duke Hildebrod and his senate find a topping 
householder in the Friars becomes discontented and factious, 
it is but assigning him, for a lodger, some fat bankrupt, or 
new residenter, whose circumstances require refuge, and whose 
purse can pay for it, and the malcontent becomes as tractable 
as a lamb. As for the poorer refugees, they let them shift as 
they can; but the registration of their names in the duke’s 
entry-book, and the payment of garnish conforming to their 
circumstances, are never dispensed with ; and the Friars would 
be a very unsafe residence for the stranger who should dis’ 
pute these points of jurisdiction.” 

“Well, Master Lowestoffe,” said Lord Glenvarloch, “I 


250 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


must be controlled by the circumstances which dictate to me 
this state of concealment; of course, I am desirous not to be- 
tray my name and rank. ’’ 

“It will be highly advisable, my lord,” said Lowestoffe, 
“ and is a case thus provided for in the statutes of the repub- 
lic, or monarchy, or whatsoever you call it. He who desires 
that no questions shall be asked him concerning his name, 
cause of refuge, and the like, may escape the usual interroga- 
tions upon payment of double the garnish otherwise belonging 
to his condition. Complying with this essential stipulation, 
your lordship may register yourself as King of Bantam if you 
will, for not a question will be asked of you. But here comes 
our scout, with news of peace and tranquillity. Now, I will 
go with your lordship myself, and present you to the council 
of Alsatia, with all the influence which I have over them as 
an ofiice-bearer in the Temple, which is not slight; for they 
have come halting off upon all occasions when we have taken 
part against them, and that they well know. The time is 
propitious, for as the council is now met in Alsatia, so the 
Temple walks are quiet. Now, my lord, throw your cloak 
about you, to hide your present exterior. You shall give it 
to the boy at the foot of the stairs that go down to the sanc- 
tuary; and as the ballad says that Queen Eleanor sunk at 
Charing Cross and rose at Queenhithe, so you shall sink a 
nobleman in the Temple Gardens and rise an Alsatian at 
Whitefriars.” 

They went out accordingly, attended by the little scout, 
traversed the gardens, descended the stairs, and at the bot- 
tom the young Templar exclaimed : “ And now let us sing, 
with Ovid, 

In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas. 

Off — off, ye lendings !” he continued, in the same vein. “ Via 
the curtain that shadowed Borgia! But how now, my lord?” 
he continued, when he observed Lord Glenvarloch was really 
distressed at the degrading change in his situation, “ I trust 
you are not offended at my rattling folly! I would but 
reconcile you to your present circumstances, and give you the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


251 


tone of this strange place. Come, cheer up ; I trust it will 
only be your residence for a very few days.’’ 

Nigel was only able to press his hand, and reply in a whis- 
per : I am sensible of your kindness. I know I must drink 
the cup which my own folly has filled for me. Pardon me 
that, at the first taste, I feel its bitterness.” 

Reginald Lowestoffe was bustlingly oflScious and good- 
natured; but, used to live a scrambling, rakish course of life 
himself, he had not the least idea of the extent of Lord Glen- 
varloch’s mental sufferings, and thought of his temporary con- 
cealment as if it were merely the trick of a wanton boy, who 
plays at hide-and-seek with his tutor. With the appearance 
of the place, too, he was familiar ; but on his companion it 
produced a deep sensation. 

The ancient sanctuary at Whitefriars lay considerably lower 
than the elevated terraces and gardens of the Temple, and was 
therefore generally involved in the damps and fogs arising 
from the Thames. The brick buildings by which it was oc- 
cupied crowded closely on each other, for, in a place so rarely 
privileged, every foot of ground was valuable; but, erected in 
many cases by persons whose funds were inadequate to their 
speculations, the houses were generally insufficient, and exhib- 
ited the lamentable signs of having become ruinous while they 
were yet new. The wailing of children, the scolding of their 
mothers, the miserable exhibition of ragged linens hung from 
the windows to dry, spoke the wants and distresses of the 
wretched inhabitants; while the sounds of complaint were 
mocked and overwhelmed in the riotous shouts, oaths, profane 
songs, and boisterous laughter that issued from the alehouses 
and taverns, which, as the signs indicated, were equal in num- 
ber to all the other houses ; and, that the full character of 
the place might be evident, several faded, tinselled, and paint- 
ed females looked boldly at the strangers from their open lat- 
tices, or more modestly seemed busied with the cracked flower- 
pots, filled with mignonette and rosemary, which were disposed 
in front of the windows, to the great risk of the passengers. 

Semi-reducta Venus^^^ said the Templar, pointing to one 
of these nymphs, who seemed afraid of observation, and partly 


252 


WAVERLEY NOVELb. 


concealed herself behind the casement, as she chirped to a 
miserable blackbird, the tenant of a wicker prison, which 
hung outside on the black brick wall. “ I know the face of 
yonder waistcoateer, ” continued the guide, and I could wager 
a rose noble, from the posture she stands in, that she has clean 
headgear and a soiled night-rail. But here come two of the 
male inhabitants, smoking like moving volcanoes! These are 
roaring blades, whom ISTicotia and Trinidado serve, I dare 
swear, in lieu of beef and pudding ; for be it known to you, 
my lord, that the King’s Counterblast against the Indian weed 
will no more pass current in Alsatia than will his writ of 
capias. ” 

As he spoke, the two smokers approached — shaggy, un- 
combed ruffians, whose enormous mustachios were turned 
back over their ears, and mingled with the wild elf-locks of 
their hair, much of which was seen under the old beavers 
which they wore aside upon their heads, while some straggling 
portion escaped through the rents of the hats aforesaid. 
Their tarnished plush jerkins, large slops, or trunk-breeches, 
their broad greasy shoulder-belts, and discoloured scarfs, and, 
above all, the ostentatious manner in which the one wore a 
broadsword and the other an extravagantly long rapier and 
poniard, marked the true Alsatian bully, then, and for a hun- 
dred years afterwards, a well-known character. 

“Tour out,” said the one ruffian to the other — “tour the 
Men mort twiring at the gentry cove!” ’ 

“ I smell a spy, ” replied the other, looking at Kigel. “ Chalk 
him across the peepers with your cheery.” ’ 

“Bing avast — bing avast!” replied his companion; “yon 
other is rattling Reginald Lowestoffe of the Temple. I know 
him ; he is a good boy, and free of the province. ” 

So saying, and enveloping themselves in another thick 
cloud of smoke, they went on without farther greeting. 

“ Crasso in acre /” said the Templar. “ You hear what a 
character the impudent knaves give me ; but, so it serves your 
lordship’s turn, I care not. And now, let me ask your lord- 

* Look sharp. See how the girl is coquetting with the strange gallants I 

* Slash him over the eyes with your dagger. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


253 


ship what name you will assume, for we are near the ducal 
palace of Duke Hildebrod.” 

“I will be called Grahame,” said Nigel; “it was my moth- 
er’s name.” 

“ Grime, ” repeated the Templar, “ will suit Alsatia well 
enough — both a grim and grimy place of refuge.” 

“I said Grahame, sir, not Grime,” said Nigel, something 
shortly, and laying an emphasis on the vowel ; for few Scotch- 
men understand raillery upon the subject of their names. 

“ I beg pardon, my lord, ” answered the undisconcerted pun- 
ster ; “ but Graam will suit the circumstance, too : it signifies 
‘tribulation’ in the High Dutch, and your lordship must be 
considered as a man under trouble.” 

Nigel laughed at the pertinacity of the Templar, who, pro- 
ceeding to point out a sign representing, or believed to repre- 
sent, a dog attacking a bull, and running at his head, in the 
true scientific style of onset — “ There, ” said he, “ doth faith- 
ful Duke Hildebrod deal forth laws, as well as ale and strong 
waters, to his faithful Alsatians. Being a determined cham- 
pion of Paris Garden, he has chosen a sign corresponding to 
his habits ; and he deals in giving drink to the thirsty, that 
he himself may drink without paying, and receive pay for 
what is drunken by others. Let us enter the ever-open gate 
of this second Axylus.” 

As they spoke, they entered the dilapidated tavern, which 
was, nevertheless, more ample in dimensions, and less ruin- 
ous, than many houses in the same evil neighbourhood. Two 
or three haggard, ragged drawers ran to and fro, whose looks, 
like those of owls, seemed only adapted for midnight, when 
other creatures sleep, and who by day seemed bleared, stupid, 
and only half awake. Guided by one of these blinking Gany- 
medes, they entered a room, where the feeble rays of the sun 
were almost wholly eclipsed by volumes of tobacco-smoke, 
rolled from the tubes of the company, while out of the cloudy 
sanctuary arose the old chant of : 

“ Old Sir Simon the King, 

And old Sir Simon the King, 

With his malmsey nose, 


254 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


And his ale-dropped hose, 

And sing hey ding-a-ding-ding.” 

Duke Hildebrod, who himself condescended to chant this 
ditty to his loving subjects, was a monstrously fat old man, 
with only one eye, and a nose which bore evidence to the 
frequency, strength, and depth of his potations. He wore a 
murrey-coloured plush jerkin, stained with the overflowings 
of the tankard, and much the worse for wear, and unbuttoned 
at bottom for the ease of his enormous paunch. Behind him 
lay a favourite bulldog, whose round head and single black 
glancing eye, as well as the creature’s great corpulence, gave 
it a burlesque resemblance to its master. 

The well-beloved counsellors who surrounded the ducal 
throne, incensed it with tobacco, pledged its occupier in thick, 
clammy ale, and echoed back his choral songs, were satraps 
worthy of such a soldan. The buff jerkin, broad belt, and 
long sword of one showed him to be a Low Country soldier, 
whose look of scowling importance and drunken impudence 
were designed to sustain his title to call himself a roving 
blade. It teemed to Nigel that he had seen this fellow some- 
where or other. A hedge-parson, or buckle-beggar, as that 
order of priesthood has been irreverently termed, sat on the 
duke’s left, and was easily distinguished by his torn band, 
flapped hat, and the remnants of a rusty cassock. Beside the 
parson sat a most wretched and meagre-looking old man, with 
a threadbare hood of coarse kersey upon his head and buttoned 
about his neck, while his pinched features, like those of old 
Daniel, were illuminated by 

An eye 

Through the last look of dotage still cunning and sly. 

On his left was placed a broken attorney, who, for some mal- 
practices, had been struck from the roll of practitioners, and 
who had nothing left of his profession excepting its rog- 
uery. One or two persons of less figure, amongst whom there 
was one face which, like that of the soldier, seemed not un- 
known to Nigel, though he could not recollect where he had 
seen it, completed the council-board of Jacob Duke Hildebrod. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


255 


The strangers had full time to observe all this; for his 
grace the duke, whether irresistibly carried on by the full 
tide of harmony, or whether to impress the strangers with a 
proper idea of his consequence, chose to sing his ditty to an 
end before addressing them, though, during the whole time, 
he closely scrutinised them with his single optic. 

When Duke Hildebrod had ended his song, he informed his 
peers that a worthy officer of the Temple attended them, and 
commanded the captain and parson to abandon their easy- 
chairs in behalf of the two strangers, whom he placed on his 
right and left hand. The worthy representatives of the army 
and the church of Alsatia went to place themselves on a crazy 
form at the bottom of the table, which, ill calculated to sus- 
tain men of such weight, gave way under them, and the man 
of the sword and man of the gown were rolled over each other 
on the floor, amidst the exulting shouts of the company. 
They arose in wrath, contending which should vent his dis- 
pleasure in the loudest and deepest oaths, a strife in which 
the parson’s superior acquaintance with theology enabled him 
greatly to excel the captain, and were at length with difficulty 
tranquillised by the arrival of the alarmed waiters with more 
stable chairs, and by a long draught of the cooling tankard. 
When this commotion was appeased, and the strangers cour- 
teously accommodated with flagons, after the fashion of the 
others present, the duke drank prosperity to the Temple in 
the most gracious manner, together with a cup of welcome to 
Master Reginald Lowestoffe; and, this courtesy having been 
thankfully accepted, the party honoured prayed permission to 
call for a gallon of Rhenish, over which he proposed to open 
his business. 

The mention of a liquor so superior to their usual potations 
had an instant and most favourable effect upon the little sen- 
ate; and its immediate appearance might be said to secure a 
favourable reception of Master Lowestoffe’ s proposition, which, 
after a round or two had circulated, he explained to be the 
admission of his friend. Master Nigel Grahame, to the benefit 
of the sanctuary and other immunities of Alsatia, in the char- 
acter of a grand compounder; for so were those termed who 


266 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


paid a double fee at tbeir matriculation, in order to avoid lay- 
ing before the senate the peculiar circumstances which com- 
pelled them to take refuge there. 

The worthy duke heard the proposition with glee, which 
glittered in his single eye ; and no wonder, as it was a rare 
occurrence, and of peculiar advantage to his private revenue. 
Accordingly, he commanded his ducal register ' to be brought 
him — a huge book, secured with brass clasps like a merchant’s 
ledger, and whose leaves, stained with wine and slabbered 
with tobacco juice, bore the names probably of as many rogues 
as are to be found in the Calendar of Newgate. 

Nigel was then directed to lay down two nobles as his ran- 
som, and to claim privilege by reciting the following doggerel 
verses, which were dictated to him by the duke ; 

“Your suppliant, by name 
Nigel Grahame, 

In fear of mishap 
From a shoulder-tap, 

And dreading a claw 
From the talons of law. 

That are sharper than briers, 

His freedom to sue. 

And rescue by you. 

Through weapon and wit, 

From warrant and writ. 

From bailiff’s hand, 

From tipstaff’s wand, 

Is come hither to Whitefriars.’’ 

As Duke Hildebrod with a tremulous hand began to make 
the entry, and had already, with superfluous generosity, 
spelled Nigel with two g’s instead of one, he was interrupted 
by the parson. This reverend gentleman had been whisper- 
ing for a minute or two, not with the captain, but with that 
other individual who dwelt imperfectly, as we have already 
mentioned, in Nigel’s memory, and being, perhaps, still some- 
thing malcontent on account of the late accident, he now re- 
quested to be heard before the registration took place. 

^^The person,” he said, “who hath now had the assurance 
to propose himself as a candidate for the privileges and im- 
^ See Ducal Register of Alsatia. Note 25. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


257 


munities of this honourable society is, in plain terms, a beg- 
garly Scot, and we have enough of these locusts in London 
already ; if we admit such palmer- worms and caterpillars to 
the sanctuary, we shall soon have the whole nation.’’ 

“We are not entitled to inquire,” said Duke Hildebrod, 
“ whether he be Scot, or French, or English : seeing he has 
honourably laid down his garnish, he is entitled to our pro- 
tection. ” 

“Word of denial, most sovereign duke,” replied the parson; 
“ I ask him no questions. His speech bewray eth him : he is 
a Galilean, and his garnish is forfeited for his assurance in 
coming within this our realm ; and I call on you, sir duke, to 
put the laws in force against him!” 

The Templar here rose, and was about to interrupt the de- 
liberations of the court, when the duke gravely assured him 
that he should be heard in behalf of his friend so soon as the 
council had finished their deliberations. 

The attorney next rose, and, intimating that he was to 
speak to the point of law, said : “ It was easy to be seen that 
this gentleman did not come here in any civil case, and that 
he believed it to be the story they had already heard of, con- 
cerning a blow given within the verge of the Park ; that the 
sanctuary would not bear out the offender in such case ; and 
that the queer old chief would send down a broom which 
would sweep the streets of Alsatia from the Strand to the 
Stairs ; and it was even policy to think what evil might come 
to their republic by sheltering an alien in such circumstances.” 

The captain, who had sat impatiently while these opinions 
were expressed, now sprung on his feet with the vehemence 
of a cork bouncing from a bottle of brisk beer, and turning up 
his mustachios with a martial air, cast a glance of contempt on 
the lawyer and churchman, while he thus expressed his opinion : 

“ Most noble Duke Hildebrod ! when I hear such base, skel- 
dering, coistril propositions come from the counsellors of your 
grace, and when I remember the huffs, the muns, and the 
Tityretu’s by whom your grace’s ancestors and predecessors 
were advised on such occasions, I begin to think the spirit of 
action is as dead in Alsatia as in my old grannam ; and yet 
17 


258 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


who thinks so thinks a lie, since I will find as many roaring 
boys in the Friars as shall keep the liberties against all the 
scavengers of Westminster. And, if we should be overborne 
for a turn, death and darkness ! have we not time to send the 
gentleman off by water, either to Paris Garden or to the Bank- 
side? and, if he is a gallant or true breed, will he not make 
us full amends for all the trouble we have? Let other soci- 
eties exist by the law, I say that we brisk boys of the Fleet 
live in spite of it ; and thrive best when we are in right op- 
position to sign and seal, writ and warrant, sergeant and tip- 
staff, catchpoll and bum-bailey.” 

This speech was followed by a murmur of approbation, and 
Lowestoffe, striking in before the favourable sound had sub- 
sided, reminded the duke and his council how much the se- 
curity of their state depended upon the amity of the Templars, 
who, by closing their gates, could at pleasure shut against 
the Alsatians the communication betwixt the Friars and the 
Temple, and that as they conducted themselves on this occasion, 
so would they secure or lose the benefit of his interest with his 
own body, which they knew not to be inconsiderable. “ And, 
in respect of my friend being a Scotsman and alien, as has been 
observed by the reverend divine and learned lawyer, you are 
to consider, ” said Lowestoffe, “ for what he is pursued hither 
— why, for giving the bastinado, not to an Englishman, but 
to one of his own countrymen. And for my own simple part,” 
he continued, touching Lord Glenvarloch at the same time, to 
make him understand he spoke but in jest, “ if all the Scots 
in London were to fight a Welsh main, and kill each other to 
a man, the survivor would, in my humble opinion, be entitled 
to our gratitude, as having done a most acceptable service to 
poor Old England.” 

A shout of laughter and applause followed this ingenious 
apology for the client’s state of alienage ; and the Templar 
followed up his plea with the following pithy proposition : I 
know well, ” said he, “ it is the custom of the fathers of this 
old and honourable republic ripely and well to consider all 
their proceedings over a proper allowance of liquor ; and far 
be it from me to propose the breach of so laudable a custom, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


259 


or to pretend that such an affair as the present can be well 
and constitutionally considered during the discussion of a piti- 
ful gallon of Rhenish. But as it is the same thing to this 
honourable conclave whether they drink first and determine 
afterwards, or whether they determine first and drink after- 
wards, I propose your grace, with the advice of your wise and 
potent senators, shall pass your edict, granting to mine hon- 
ourable friend the immunities of the place, and assigning him 
a lodging, according to your wise forms, to which he will 
presently retire, being somewhat spent with this day^s action; 
whereupon I will presently order you a rundlet of Rhenish, 
with a corresponding quantity of neats’ tongues and pickled 
herrings, to make you all as glorious as George-a-Green.” 

This overture was received with a general shout of applause, 
which altogether drowned the voice of the dissidents, if any 
there were amongst the Alsatian senate who could have re- 
sisted a proposal so popular. The words of, “kind heart! — 
noble gentleman! — generous gallant!” flew from mouth to 
mouth; the inscription of the petitioner’s name in the great 
book was hastily completed, and the oath administered to him 
by the worthy doge. Like the Laws of the Twelve Tables, of 
the ancient Cambro-Britons, and other primitive nations, it 
was couched in poetry, and ran as follows : 

“ By spigot and barrel, 

By bilboe and buff, 

Thou art sworn to the quarrel 
Of the blades of the huff. 

For Whitefriars and its claims 
To be champion or martyr, 

And to fight for its dames 
Like a Knight of the Garter.” 

Nigel felt, and indeed exhibited, some disgust at this mum- 
mery ; but, the Templar reminding him that he was too far 
advanced to draw back, he repeated the words, or rather as- 
sented as they were repeated by Duke Hildebrod, who con- 
cluded the ceremony by allowing him the privilege of sanctu- 
ary, in the following form of prescriptive doggerel : 

“ From the touch of the tip. 

From the blight of the warrant, 


260 


WAYERLEY NOVELS. 


From the watchmen who skip 
On the harman-beck’s errand ; 

From the bailiff’s cramp speech, 

That makes man a thrall, 

I charm thee from each, 

And I charm thee from all. 

Thy freedom’s complete 
As a blade of the huff. 

To be cheated and cheat. 

To be cuff’d and to cuff ; 

To stride, swear, and swagger, 

To drink till you stagger ; 

To stare and to stab. 

And to brandish your dagger 
In the cause of your drab ; 

To walk wool-ward in winter, 

Drink brandy, and smoke, 

And go fresco in summer 
For want of a cloak ; 

To eke out your living 
By the wag of your elbow, 

By fulham and gourd. 

And by baring of bilboe ; 

To live by your shifts. 

And to swear by your honour. 

Are the freedom and gifts 
Of which I am the donor.” ^ 

This homily being performed, a dispute arose concerning 
the special residence to be assigned the new brother of the 
sanctuary; for, as the Alsatians held it a maxim in their 
commonwealth that ass’s milk fattens, there was usually a 
competition among the inhabitants which should have the 
managing, as it was termed, of a new member of the society. 

The Hector who had spoken so warmly and critically in Ni- 
gel’s behalf stood out now chivalrously in behalf of a certain 
Blowselinda, or Bonstrops, who had, it seems, a room to hire, 
once the occasional residence of Slicing Dick of Paddington, 
who lately suffered at Tyburn, and whose untimely exit had 
been hitherto mourned by the damsel in solitary widowhood, 
after the fashion of the turtle-dove. 

The captain’s interest was, however, overruled in behalf of 
the old gentleman in the kersey hood, who was believed, even 

^ Of the cant words used in this inauguratory oration, some are obvious 
in their meaning, others, as harman-beck (constable) and the like, derive 
their source from that ancient piece of lexicography, the Slang Dictionary. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 261 

at his extreme age, to understand the plucking of a pigeon as 
well or better than any man of Alsatia. 

This venerable personage was a usurer of some notoriety, 
called Trapbois, and had very lately done the state consider- 
able service in advancing a subsidy necessary to secure a fresh 
importation of liquors to the duke’s cellars, the wine-merchant 
at the Vintry being scrupulous to deal with so great a man for 
anything but ready money. 

When, therefore, the old gentleman arose, and with much 
coughing reminded the duke that he had a poor apartment to 
let, the claims of all others were set aside, and Nigel was as- 
signed to Trapbois as his guest. 

No sooner was this arrangement made than Lord Glenvar- 
loch expressed to Lowestoffe his impatience to leave this dis- 
creditable assembly, and took his leave with a careless haste 
which, but for the rundlet of Rhenish wine that entered just 
as he left the apartment, might have been taken in bad part. 
The young Templar accompanied his friend to the house of 
the old usurer, with the road to which he and some other 
youngsters about the Temple were even but too well acquaint- 
ed. On the way, he assured Lord Glenvarloch that he was 
going to the only clean house in Whitefriars — a property 
which it owed solely to the exertions of the old man’s only 
daughter, an elderly damsel, ugly enough to frighten sin, yet 
likely to be wealthy enough to tempt a Puritan, so soon as 
the devil had got her old dad for his due. As Lowestoffe 
spoke thus, they knocked at the door of the house, and the 
sour, stern countenance of the female by whom it was opened 
fully confirmed all that the Templar had said of the hostess. 
She heard with an ungracious and discontented air the young 
Templar’s information that the gentleman, his companion, 
was to be her father’s lodger, muttered something about the 
trouble it was likely to occasion, but ended by showing the 
stranger’s apartment, which was better than could have been 
augured from the general appearance of the place, and much 
larger in extent than that which he had occupied at Paul’s 
Wharf, though inferior to it in neatness. 

LowestofPe, having thus seen his friend fairly installed in 


262 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


his new apartment, and having obtained for him a note of the 
rate at which he could be accommodated with victuals from a 
neighbouring cook’s shop, now took his leave, offering, at the 
same time, to send the whole, or any part, of Lord Glenvar- 
loch’s baggage from his former place of residence to his new 
lodging. Nigel mentioned so few articles, that the Templar 
could not help observing, that his lordship, it would seem, 
did not intend to enjoy his new privileges long. 

“ They are too little suited to my habits and taste that I 
should do so,” replied Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ You may change your opinion to-morrow, ” said Lowe- 
stoffe; “and so I wish you a good even. To-morrow I will 
visit you betimes.” 

The morning came, but instead of the Templar it brought 
only a letter from him. The epistle stated that Lowestoffe’s 
visit to Alsatia had drawn down the animadversions of some 
crabbed old pantaloons among the benches, and that he judged 
it wise not to come hither at present, for fear of attracting too 
much attention to Lord Glenvarloch’ s place of residence. He 
stated that he had taken measures for the safety of his bag- 
gage, and would send him, by a safe hand, his money-casket 
and what articles he wanted. Then followed some sage ad- 
vices, dictated by Lowes toff e’s acquaintance with Alsatia and 
its manners. He advised him to keep the Usurer in the most 
absolute uncertainty concerning the state of his funds ; never 
to throw a main with the captain, who was in the habit of 
playing dry-fisted, and paying his losses with three vowels ; 
and, finally, to beware of Duke Hildebrod, who was as sharp, 
he said, as a needle, though he had no more eyes than are pos- 
sessed by that necessary implement of female industry. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


263 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

Mother. What ! dazzled by a flash of Cupid’s mirror, 

With which the boy, as mortal urchins wont, 

Flings back the sunbeam in the eye of passengers. 

Then laughs to see them stumble ! 

Daughter. Mother, no; 

It was a lightning-flash which dazzled me. 

And never shall these eyes see true again. 

Beef and Pudding, an old English Comedy. 

It is necessary that we should leave our hero Nigel for a 
time, although in a situation neither safe, comfortable, nor 
creditable, in order to detail some particulars which have im- 
mediate connexion with his fortunes. 

It was but the third day after he had been forced to take 
refuge in the house of old Trapbois, the noted usurer of White- 
friars, commonly called Golden Trapbois, when the pretty 
daughter of old Ramsay, the watchmaker, after having pi- 
ously seen her father finish his breakfast (from the fear that 
he might, in an abstruse fit of thought, swallow the salt-cel- 
lar instead of a crust of the brown loaf) set forth from the 
house as soon as he was again plunged into the depth of cal- 
culation, and, accompanied only by that faithful old drudge, 
Janet, the Scots laundress, to whom her whims were laws, 
made her way to Lombard Street, and disturbed, at the 
unusual hour of eight in the morning. Aunt Judith, the sister 
of her worthy godfather. 

The venerable maiden received her young visitor with no 
great complacency ; for, naturally enough, she had neither the 
same admiration of her very pretty countenance nor allowance 
for her foolish and girlish impatience of temper which Master 
George Heriot entertained. Still, Mistress Margaret was a 
favourite of her brother’s, whose wiU was to Aunt Judith a 
supreme law ; and she contented herself with asking her un- 
timely visitor, What she made so early with her pale, chitty 
face in the streets of London?” 

“ I would speak with the Lady Hermione, ” answered the 
almost breathless girl, while the blood ran so fast to her face 


264 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


as totally to remove tlie objection of paleness which. Aunt 
Judith had made to her complexion. 

“With the Lady Hermione!^^ said Aunt Judith — “with the 
Lady Hermione! and at this time in the morning, when she 
will scarce see any of the family, even at seasonable hours? 
You are crazy, you silly wench, or you abuse the indulgence 
which my brother and the lady have shown to you.’^ 

“Indeed — indeed I have not,” repeated Margaret, strug- 
gling to detain the unbidden tear which seemed ready to burst 
out on the slightest occasion. “ Do but say to the lady that 
your brother’s god-daughter desires earnestly to speak to her, 
and I know she will not refuse to see me.” 

Aunt Judith bent an earnest, suspicious, and inquisitive 
glance on her young visitor. “You might make me your 
secretary, my lassie,” she said, “as well as the Lady Her- 
mione. I am older, and better skilled to advise. I have lived 
more in the world than one who shuts herself up within four 
rooms, and I have the better means to assist you.” 

“ Oh ! no — no — no, ” said Margaret, eagerly, and with more 
earnest sincerity than complaisance ; “ there are some things 
to which you cannot advise me. Aunt Judith. It is a case — 
pardon me, my dear aunt — a case beyond your counsel.” 

“I am glad on’t, maiden,” said Aunt Judith, somewhat 
angrily ; “ for I think the follies of the young people of this 
generation would drive mad an old brain like mine. Here 
you come on the viretot, through the whole streets of London, 
to talk some nonsense to a lady who scarce sees God’s sun 
but when he shines on a brick wall. But I will tell her you 
are here.” 

She went away, and shortly returned with a dry : “ Mistress 
Marget, the lady will be glad to see you; and that’s more, my 
young madam, than you had a right to count upon.” 

Mistress Margaret hung her head in silence, too much per- 
plexed by the train of her own embarrassed thoughts for at- 
tempting either to conciliate Aunt Judith’s kindness, or, 
which on other occasions would have been as congenial to her 
own humour, to retaliate on her cross-tempered remarks and 
manner. She followed Aunt Judith, therefore, in silence and 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


265 


dejection, to the strong oaken door which divided the Lady 
Hermione’s apartments from the rest of George HerioUs spa- 
cious house. 

At the door of this sanctuary it is necessary to pause, in 
order to correct the reports with which Richie Moniplies had 
filled his master’s ear, respecting the singular appearance of 
that lady’s attendance at prayers, whom we now own to be by 
name the Lady Hermione. Some part of these exaggerations 
had been communicated to the worthy Scotsman by Jenkin 
Vincent, who was well experienced in the species of wit which 
has been long a favourite in the city, under the names of cross- 
biting, giving the dor, bamboozling, cramming, hoaxing, hum- 
bugging, and quizzing ; for which sport Richie Moniplies, with 
his solemn gravity, totally unapprehensive of a joke, aud his 
natural propensity to the marvellous, formed an admirable 
subject. Farther ornaments the tale had received from Richie 
himself, whose tongue, especially when oiled with good liquor, 
had a considerable tendency to amplification, and who failed 
not, while he retailed to his master all the wonderful cir- 
cumstances narrated by Vincent, to add to them many con- 
jectures of his own, which his imagination had over-hastily 
converted into facts. 

Yet the life which the Lady Hermione had led for two 
years, during which she had been the inmate of George 
Heriot’s house, was so singular as almost to sanction many 
of the wild reports which went abroad. The house which 
the worthy goldsmith inhabited had in former times belonged 
to a powerful and wealthy baronial family, which, during the 
reign of Henry VIII., terminated in a dowager lady, very 
wealthy, very devout, and most unalienably attached to the 
Catholic faith. The chosen friend of the Honourable Lady 
Foljambe was the abbess of St. Roque’s nunnery, like herself, 
a conscientious, rigid, and devoted Papist. When the house 
of St. Roque was despotically dissolved by the fiat of the im- 
petuous monarch, the Lady Foljambe received her friend into 
her spacious mansion, together with two vestal sisters, who, 
like their abbess, were determined to follow the tenor of their 
vows, instead of embracing the profane liberty which the 


266 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


monarch’s will had thrown in their choice. For their resi- 
dence, the Lady Foljambe contrived, with all secrecy — for 
Henry might not have relished her interference — to set apart 
a suite of four rooms, with a little closet fitted up as an ora- 
tory, or chapel; the whole apartments fenced by a strong 
oaken door to exclude strangers, and accommodated with a 
turning-wheel to receive necessaries, according to the practice 
of all nunneries. In this retreat the abbess of St. Roque and 
her attendants passed many years, communicating only with 
the Lady Foljambe, who, in virtue of their prayers, and of the 
support she afforded them, accounted herself little less than a 
saint on earth. The abbess, fortunately for herself, died be- 
fore her munificent patroness, who lived deep in Queen Eliza- 
beth’s time, ere she was summoned by fate. 

The Lady Foljambe was succeeded in this mansion by a 
sour fanatic knight, a distant and collateral relation, who 
claimed the same merit for expelling the priestesses of Baal 
which his predecessor had founded on maintaining the vota- 
resses of Heaven. Of the two unhappy nuns, driven from 
their ancient refuge, one went beyond sea; the other, unable 
from old age to undertake such a journey, died under the roof 
of a faithful Catholic widow of low degree. Sir Paul Cram- 
bagge, having got rid of the nuns, spoiled the chapel of its 
ornaments, and had thoughts of altogether destroying the 
apartments, until checked by the reflection that the operation 
would be an unnecessary expense, since he only inhabited 
three rooms of the large mansion, and had not therefore the 
slightest occasion for any addition to its accommodations. 
His son proved a waster and a prodigal, and from him the 
house was bought by our friend George Heriot, who, finding, 
like Sir Paul, the house more than su£6.ciently ample for his 
accommodation, left the Foljambe apartments, or St. Roque’s 
rooms, as they were called, in the state in which he found 
them. 

About two years and a half before our history opened, when 
Heriot was absent upon an expedition to the Continent, he 
sent special orders to his sister and his cash-keeper, directing 
that the Foljambe apartments should be fitted up handsomely. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


267 


though plainly, for the reception of a lady, who would make 
them her residence for some time, and who would live more 
or less with his own family according to her pleasure. He 
also directed that the necessary repairs should be made with 
secrecy, and that as little should he said as possible upon the 
subject of his letter. 

When the time of his return came nigh. Aunt Judith and 
the household were on the tenter-hooks of impatience. Mas- 
ter George came, as he had intimated, accompanied by a lady, 
so eminently beautiful that, had it not been for her extreme 
and uniform paleness, she might have been reckoned one of 
the loveliest creatures on earth. She had with her an attend- 
ant, or humble companion, whose business seemed only to 
wait upon her. This person, a reserved woman, and by her 
dialect a foreigner, aged about fifty, was called by the lady 
Monna Paula, and by Master Heriot and others Mademoiselle 
Pauline. She slept in the same room with her patroness at 
night, ate in her apartment, and was scarcely ever separated 
from her during the day. 

These females took possession of the nunnery of the devout 
abbess, and, without observing the same rigorous seclusion, 
according to the letter, seemed wellnigh to restore the apart- 
ments to the use to which they had been originally designed. 
The new inmates lived and took their meals apart from the 
rest of the family. With the domestics Lady Hermione, for 
so she was termed, held no communication, and Mademoiselle 
Pauline only such as was indispensable, which she despatched 
as briefly as possible. Frequent and liberal largesses recon- 
ciled the servants to this conduct; and they were in the habit 
of observing to each other, that to do a service for Mademoi- 
selle Pauline was like finding a fairy treasure. 

To Aunt Judith the Lady Hermione was kind and civil, 
but their intercourse was rare ; on which account the elder 
lady felt some pangs both of curiosity and injured dignity. 
But she knew her brother so well, and loved him so dearly, 
that his will, once expressed, might be truly said to become 
her own. The worthy citizen was not without a spice of the 
dogmatism which grows on the best disposition when a word 


268 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


is a law to all around. Master George did not endure to be 
questioned by bis family, and, when he had generally expressed 
his will that the Lady Hermione should live in the way most 
agreeable to her, and that no inquiries should be made con- 
cerning her history, or her motives for observing such strict 
seclusion, his sister well knew that he would have been seri- 
ously displeased with any attempt to pry into the secret. 

But, though Heriot’s servants were bribed, and his sister 
awed, into silent acquiescence in these arrangements, they 
were not of a nature to escape the critical observation of the 
neighbourhood. Some opined that the wealthy goldsmith was 
about to turn Papist, and re-establish Lady Folj ambers nun- 
nery, others that he was going mad, others that he was either 
going to marry or to do worse. Master George’s constant 
appearance at church, and the knowledge that the supposed 
votaress always attended when the prayers of the English 
ritual were read in the family, liberated him from the first of 
these suspicions ; those who had to transact business with him 
upon ’change could not doubt the soundness of Master Heriot’s 
mind; and, to confute the other rumours, it was credibly re- 
ported by such as made the matter their particular interest 
that Master George Heriot never visited his guest but in pres- 
ence of Mademoiselle Pauline, who sat with her work in a re- 
mote part of the same room in which they conversed. It was 
also ascertained that these visits scarcely ever exceeded an 
hour in length, and were usually only repeated once a week — 
an intercourse too brief and too long interrupted to render it 
probable that love was the bond of their union. 

The inquirers were, therefore, at fault, and compelled to 
relinquish the pursuit of Master Heriot’s secret, while a thou- 
sand ridiculous tales were circulated amongst the ignorant 
and superstitious, with some specimens of which our friend 
Richie Moniplies had been crammed, ” as we have seen, by 
the malicious apprentice of worthy David Ramsay. 

There was one person in the world who, it was thought, 
could, if she would, have said more of the Lady Hermione 
than any one in London, except George Heriot himself; and 
that was the said David Ramsay’s only child, Margaret. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


269 


This girl was not much past the age of fifteen when the 
Lady Hermione first came to England, and was a very fre- 
quent visitor at her godfather’s, who was much amused by 
her childish sallies, and by the wild and natural beauty with 
which she sung the airs of her native country. Spoilt she 
was on all hands — by the indulgence of her godfather, the 
absent habits and indifference of her father, and the deference 
of all around to her caprices, as a beauty and as an heiress. 
But though, from these circumstances, the city beauty had 
become as wilful, as capricious, and as affected as unlimited 
indulgence seldom fails to render those to whom it is ex- 
tended ; and although she exhibited upon many occasions that 
affectation of extreme shyness, silence, and reserve which 
misses in their teens are apt to take for an amiable modesty, 
and, upon others, a considerable portion of that flippancy 
which youth sometimes confounds with wit. Mistress Marga- 
ret had much real shrewdness and judgment, which wanted 
only opportunities of observation to refine it, a lively, good- 
humoured, playful disposition, and an excellent heart. Her 
acquired follies were much increased by reading plays and 
romances, to which she devoted a great deal of her time, and 
from which she adopted ideas as different as possible from 
those which she might have obtained from the invaluable and 
affectionate instructions of an excellent mother ; and the freaks 
of which she was sometimes guilty rendered her not unjustly 
liable to the charge of affectation and coquetry. But the lit- 
tle lass had sense and shrewdness enough to keep her failings 
out of sight of her godfather, to whom she was sincerely at- 
tached ; and so high she stood in his favour that, at his recom- 
mendation, she obtained permission to visit the recluse Lady 
Hermione. 

The singular mode of life which that lady observed, her 
great beauty, rendered even more interesting by her extreme 
paleness, the conscious pride of being admitted farther than 
the rest of the world into the society of a person who was 
wrapped in so much mystery, made a deep impression on the 
mind of Margaret Ramsay; and though their conversations 
were at no time either long or confidential, yet, proud of the 


270 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


trust reposed in her, Margaret was as secret respecting their 
tenor as if every word repeated had been to cost her life. No 
inquiry, however artfully backed by flattery and insinuation, 
whether on the part of Dame Ursula or any other person 
equally inquisitive, could wring from the little maiden one 
word of what she heard or saw after she entered these mys- 
terious and secluded apartments. The slightest question con- 
cerning Master Heriot’s ghost was sufficient, at her gayest 
moment, to check the current of her communicative prattle 
and render her silent. 

We mention this chiefly to illustrate the early strength of 
Margaret’s character — a strength concealed under a hundred 
freakish whims and humours, as an ancient and massive but- 
tress is disguised by its fantastic covering of ivy and wild- 
flowers. In truth, if the damsel had told all she heard or saw 
within the Foljambe apartments, she would have said but lit- 
tle to satisfy the curiosity of inquirers. 

At the earlier period of their acquaintance, the Lady Her- 
mione was wont to reward the attentions of her little friend 
with small but elegant presents, and entertain her by a dis- 
play of foreign rarities and curiosities, many of them of con- 
siderable value. Sometimes the time was passed in a way 
much less agreeable to Margaret, by her receiving lessons 
from Pauline in the use of the needle. But although her pre- 
ceptress practised these arts with a dexterity then only known 
in foreign convents, the pupil proved so incorrigibly idle and 
awkward that the task of needlework was at length given up, 
and lessons of music substituted in their stead. Here also 
Pauline was excellently qualifled as an instructress, and Mar- 
garet, more successful in a science for which nature had gifted 
her, made proflciency both in vocal and instrumental music. 
These lessons passed in presence of the Lady Hermione, to 
whom they seemed to give pleasure. She sometimes added 
her own voice to the performance in a pure, clear stream of 
liquid melody ; but this was only when the music was of a 
devotional cast. As Margaret became older, her communica- 
tions with the recluse assumed a different character. She 
was allowed, if not encouraged, to tell whatever she had re- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


271 


marked out of doors, and the Lady Hermione, while she re- 
marked the quick, sharp, and retentive powers of observation 
possessed by her young friend, often found sufficient reason to 
caution her against rashness in forming opinions and giddy 
petulance in expressing them. 

The habitual awe with which she regarded this singular 
personage induced Mistress Margaret, though by no means 
delighting in contradiction or reproof, to listen with patience 
to her admonitions, and to make full allowance for the good 
intentions of the patroness by whom they were bestowed; 
although in her heart she could hardly conceive how Madame 
Hermione, who never stirred from the Foljambe apartments, 
should think of teaching knowledge of the world to one who 
walked twice a week between Temple Bar and Lombard 
Street, besides parading in the Park every Sunday that proved 
to be fair weather. Indeed, pretty Mistress Margaret was so 
little inclined to endure such remonstrances, that her inter- 
course with the inhabitants of the Foljambe apartments would 
have probably slackened as her circle of acquaintance increased 
in the external world, had she not, on the one hand, entertained 
an habitual reverence for her monitress, of which she could not 
divest herself, and been flattered, on the other, by being, to a 
certain degree, the depositary of a confidence for which others 
thirsted in vain. Besides, although the conversation of Her- 
mione was uniformly serious, it was not in general either for- 
mal or severe ; nor was the lady offended by flights of levity 
which Mistress Margaret sometimes ventured on in her pres- 
ence, even when they were such as made Monna Paula cast 
her eyes upwards, and sigh with that compassion which a 
devotee extends towards the votaries of a trivial and profane 
world. Thus, upon the whole, the little maiden was disposed 
to submit, though not without some wincing, to the grave 
admonitions of the Lady Hermione ; and then rather that the 
mystery annexed to the person of her monitress was in her 
mind early associated with a vague idea of wealth and impor- 
tance, which had been rather confirmed than lessened by many 
accidental circumstances which she had noticed since she was 
more capable of observation. 


272 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


It frequently happens that the counsel, which we reckon 
intrusive when offered to us unasked, becomes precious in our 
eyes when the pressure of difficulties renders us more diffi- 
dent of our own judgment than we are apt to find ourselves in 
the hours of ease and indifference ; and this is more especially 
the case if we suppose that our adviser may also possess power 
jand inclination to back his counsel with effectual assistance. 
/Mistress Margaret was now in that situation. She was, or 
believed herself to be, in a condition where both advice and 
assistance might be necessary ; and it was therefore, after an 
anxious and sleepless night, that she resolved to have recourse 
to the Lady Hermione, who she knew would readily afford her 
the one, and, as she hoped, might also possess means of giv- 
ing her the other. The conversation between them will best 
explain the purport of the visit. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

By this good light, a wench of matchless mettle ! 

This were a leaguer-lass to love a soldier, 

To bind his wounds, and kiss his bloody brow, 

And sing a roundel as she help’d to arm him, 

Though the rough foeman’s drums were beat so nigh. 

They seem’d to bear the burden. 

Old Play. 

When Mistress Margaret entered the Eoljambe apartment, 
she found the inmates employed in their usual manner — the 
lady in reading, and her attendant in embroidering a large 
piece of tapestry, which had occupied her ever since Margaret 
had been first admitted within these secluded chambers. 

Hermione nodded kindly to her visitor, but did not speak j 
and Margaret, accustomed to this reception, and in the present 
case not sorry for it, as it gave her an interval to collect her 
thoughts, stooped over Monna Paula’s frame, and observed, 
in a half whisper, ‘‘You were just so far as that rose, Monna, 
when I first saw you ; see, there is the mark where I had the 
bad luck to spoil the flower in trying to catch the stitch — I 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


273 


was little above fifteen then. These flowers make me an old 
woman, Monna Paula.’’ 

‘‘ I wish they could make you a wise one, my child, ” an- 
swered Monna Paula, in whose esteem pretty Mistress Mar- 
garet did not stand quite so high as in that of her patroness ; 
partly owing to her natural austerity, which was something 
intolerant of youth and gaiety, and partly to the jealousy with 
which a favourite domestic regards any one whom she considers 
as a sort of rival in the affections of her mistress. 

“What is it you say to Monna, little one?” asked the lady. 

“Nothing, madam,” replied Mistress Margaret, “but that I 
have seen the real flowers blossom three times over since I first 
saw Monna Paula working in her canvas garden, and her vio- 
lets have not budded yet.” 

“ True, lady-bird, ” replied Hermione ; “ but the buds that 
are longest in blossoming will last the longest in flower. You 
have seen them in the garden bloom thrice, but you have seen 
them fade thrice also; now, Monna Paula’s will remain in 
blow for ever : they will fear neither frost nor tempest. ” 

“ True, madam, ” answered Mistress Margaret ; “ but neither 
have they life or odour.” 

“That, little one,” replied the recluse, “is to compare a life 
agitated by hope and fear, and chequered with success and 
disappointment, and fevered by the effects of love and hatred 
— a life of passion and of feeling, saddened and shortened by 
its exhausting alterations — to a calm and tranquil existence, 
animated but by a sense of duties, and only employed, during 
its smooth and quiet course, in the unwearied discharge of 
them. Is that the moral of your answer?” 

“I do not know, madam,” answered Mistress Margaret; 
“ but, of all birds in the air, I would rather be the lark, that 
sings while he is drifting down the summer breeze, than the 
weathercock, that sticks fast yonder upon his iron perch, and 
just moves so much as to discharge his duty, and tell us which 
way the wind blows.” 

“ Metaphors are no arguments, my pretty maiden, ” said the 
Lady Hermione, smiling. 

“ I am sorry for that, madam, ” answered Margaret ; “ for 

18 


274 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


they are such a pretty indirect way of telling one’s mind when 
it differs from one’s betters; besides, on this subject there is 
no end of them and they are so civil and becoming withal.” 

^‘Indeed!” replied the lady; ‘4et me hear some of them, I 
pray you.” 

“ It would be, for example, very bold in me, ” said Marga- 
ret, “ to say to your ladyship that, rather than live a quiet life, 
I would like a little variety of hope and fear, and liking and 
disliking — and — and — and the other sort of feelings which 
your ladyship is pleased to speak of; but I may say freely 
and without blame that I like a butterfly better than a beetle ; 
or a trembling aspen better than a grim Scots fir, that never 
wags a leaf; or that, of all the wood, brass, and wire that 
ever my father’s fingers put together, I do hate and detest a 
certain huge old clock of the German fashion, that rings hours 
and half hours, and quarters and half quarters, as if it were 
of such consequence that the world should know it was wound 
up and going. Now, dearest lady, I wish you would only 
compare that clumsy, clanging. Dutch-looking piece of lumber 
with the beautiful timepiece that Master Heriot caused my 
father to make for your ladyship, which used to play a hmi- 
dred merry tunes, and turns out, when it strikes the hour, a 
whole band of morrice-dancers, to trip the hays to the meas- 
ure. ” 

“ And which of these timepieces goes the truest, Margaret?” 
said the lady. 

“ I must confess the old Dutchman has the advantage in 
that, ” said Margaret. “ I fancy you are right, madam, and 
that comparisons are no arguments, at least mine has not 
brought me through.” 

Upon my word, maiden Margaret,” said the lady, smiling, 
^‘you have been of late thinking very much of these matters.” 

“ Perhaps too much, madam, ” said Margaret, so low as only 
to be heard by the lady, behind the back of whose chair she 
had now placed herself. The words were spoken very grave- 
ly, and accompanied by a half sigh, which did not escape the 
attention of her to whom they were addressed. The Lady 
Hermione turned immediately round and looked earnestly at 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


275 


Margaret, then paused for a moment, and, finally, commanded 
Monna Paula to carry her frame and embroidery into the ante- 
chamber. When they were left alone, she desired her young 
friend to come from behind the chair, on the back of which 
she still rested, and sit down beside her upon a stool. 

“ I will remain thus, madam, under your favour, ” answered 
Margaret, without changing her posture j I would rather you 
heard me without seeing me.” 

‘‘In God’s name, maiden,” returned her patroness, “what is 
it you can have to say that may not be uttered face to face to 
so true a friend as I am?” 

Without making any direct answer, Margaret only replied, 
“ You were right, dearest lady, when you said I had suffered 
my feelings too much to engross me of late. I have done very 
wrong, and you wiU be angry with me — so wifi, my godfather ; 
but I cannot help it — he must be rescued.” 

“ He repeated the lady, with emphasis. “ That brief lit- 
tle word does, indeed, so far explain your mystery ; but come 
from behind the chair, you silly popinjay! I will wager you 
have suffered yonder gay young apprentice to sit too near your 
heart. I have not heard you mention yoimg Vincent for many 
a day ; perhaps he has not been out of mouth and out of mind 
both. Have you been so foolish as to let him speak to you 
seriously? I am told he is a bold youth.” 

“ Not bold enough to say anything that could displease me, 
madam,” said Margaret. 

“Perhaps, then, you were not displeased,” said the lady; 
“ or perhaps he has not spoken^ which would be wiser and bet- 
ter. Be open-hearted, my love ; your godfather will soon re- 
turn, and we will take him into our consultations. If the 
young man is industrious, and come of honest parentage, his 
poverty may be no such insurmountable obstacle. But you 
are both of you very young, Margaret ; I know your godfather 
will expect that the youth shall first serve out his apprentice- 
ship.” 

Margaret had hithero suffered the lady to proceed under the 
mistaken impression which she had adopted simply because she 
could not tell how to interrupt her; but pure despite at hear- 


276 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


ing her last words gave her boldness at length to say, “ I crave 
your pardon, madam j but neither the youth you mention, nor 
any apprentice or master within the city of London ” 

“ Margaret, ” said the lady, in reply, the contemptuous tone 
with which you mention those of your own class, many hun- 
dreds if not thousands of whom are in all respects better than 
yourself, and would greatly honour you by thinking of you, 
is, methinks, no warrant for the wisdom of your choice — for 
a choice, it seems, there is. Who is it, maiden, to whom 
you have thus rashly attached yourself? — rashly, I fear it 
must be.” 

“It is the young Scottish Lord Glenvarloch, madam,” an- 
swered Margaret, in a low and modest tone, but sufficiently firm, 
considering the subject. 

“The young Lord of Glenvarloch!” repeated the lady, in 
great surprise. “Maiden, you are distracted in your wits.” 

“ I knew you would say so, madam, ” answered Margaret. 
“ It is what another person has already told me ; it is, per- 
haps, what all the world would tell me ; it is what I am some- 
times disposed to tell myself. But look at me, madam, for I 
will now come before you, and tell me if there is madness or 
distraction in my look and word when I repeat to you again, 
that I have fixed my affections on this young nobleman.” 

“ If there is not madness in your look or word, maiden, there 
is infinite folly in what you say, ” answered the Lady Hermione 
sharply. “ When did you ever hear that misplaced love brought 
anything but wretchedness ? Seek a match among your equals, 
Margaret, and escape the countless kinds of risk and misery 
that must attend an affection beyond your degree. Why do 
you smile, maiden? Is there aught to cause scorn in what I 
say?” 

“ Surely no, madam, ” answered Margaret. “ I only smiled 
to think how it should happen that, while rank made such a 
wide difference between creatures formed from the same clay, 
the wit of the vulgar should, nevertheless, jump so exactly 
the same length with that of the accomplished and the ex- 
alted. It is but the variation of the phrase which divides 
them. Dame Ursley told me the very same thing which your 


THE EORTTTNES OF NIGEL. 


277 


ladyship has but now uttered ; only you, madam, talk of count- 
less misery, and Dame Ursley spoke of the gallows, and Mis- 
tress Turner, who was hanged upon it.” 

“Indeed!” answered the Lady Hermione; “and who may 
Dame Ursley be, that your wise choice has associated with me 
in the difficult task of advising a fool?” 

“The barber’s wife at next door, madam,” answered Mar- 
garet, with feigned simplicity, but far from being sorry at 
heart that she had found an indirect mode of mortifying her 
monitress. “ She is the wisest woman that I know, next to 
your ladyship.” 

“ A proper confidante, ” said the lady, “ and chosen with the 
same delicate sense of what is due to yourself and others ! But 
what ails you, maiden — where are you going?” 

“Only to ask Dame Ursley ’s advice,” said Margaret, as’ if 
about to depart; “for I see your ladyship is too angry to give 
me any, and the emergency is pressing. ” 

“ What emergency, thou simple one?” said the lady, in a 
kinder one. “ Sit down, maiden, and tell me your tale. It 
is true you are a fool, and a pettish fool to boot ; but then 
you are a child — an amiable child, with all your self-willed 
folly — and we must help you if we can. Sit down, I say, as 
you are desired, and you will find me a safer and wiser comi- 
sellor than the barber-woman. And tell me how you come to 
suppose that you have fixed your heart unalterably upon a 
man whom you have seen, as I thint, but once. ” 

“ I have seen him of tener, ” said the damsel, looking down ; 
“ but I have only spoken to him once. I should have been 
able to get that once out of my head, though the impression was 
so deep that I could even now repeat every trifling word he 
said, but other things have since riveted it in my bosom for 
ever.” 

“ Maiden, ” replied the lady, “ ^ for ever ’ is the word which 
comes most lightly on the lips in such circumstances, but which, 
not the less, is almost the last that we should use. The fash- 
ion of this world, its passions, its joys, and its sorrows, pass 
away like the winged breeze; there is nought for ever but 
that which belongs to the world beyond the grave.” 


278 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“You have corrected me justly, madam,” said Margaret 
calmly ; “ I ought only to have spoken of my present state of 
mind as what will last me for my lifetime, which uuquestion- 
ably may be but short.” 

“ And what is there in this Scottish lord that can rivet what 
concerns him so closely in your fancy?” said the lady. “I 
admit him a personable man, for I have seen him ; and I will 
suppose him courteous and agreeable. But what are his ac- 
complishments besides, for these surely are not uncommon 
attributes?” 

“He is unfortunate, madam — most unfortunate, and sur- 
rounded by snares of different kinds, ingeniously contrived to 
ruin his character, destroy his estate, and, perhaps, to reach 
even his life. These schemes have been devised by avarice 
originally, but they are now followed close by vindictive am- 
bition, animated, I think, by the absolute and concentrated 
spirit of malice j for the Lord Dalgarno ” 

“Here, Monna Paula — Monna Paula!” exclaimed the Lady 
Hermione, interrupting her young friend’s narrative. “ She 
hears me not,” she answered, rising and going out, “I must 
seek her — I will return instantly.” She returned accordingly 
very soon after. “ You mentioned a name which I thought 
was familiar to me, ” she said ; “ but Monna Paula has put me 
right. I know nothing of your lord — how was it you named 
him?” 

“ Lord Dalgarno, ” said Margaret, “ the wickedest man who 
lives. Under pretence of friendship, he introduced the Lord 
Glenvarloch to a gambling-house with the purpose of engaging 
him in deep play ; but he with whom the perfidious traitor had 
to deal was too virtuous, moderate, and cautious to be caught 
in a snare so open. What did they next but turn his own 
moderation against him, and persuade others that, because he 
would not become the prey of wolves, he herded with them for 
a share of their booty ! And, while this base Lord Dalgarno 
was thus undermining his unsuspecting countryman, he took 
every measure to keep him surrounded by creatures of his 
own, to prevent him from attending court and mixing with 
those of his proper rank. Since the Gunpowder Treason, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


279 


there never was a conspiracy more deeply laid, more basely 
and more deliberately pursued. ** 

The lady smiled sadly at Margaret’s vehemence, but sighed 
the next moment, while she told her young friend how little 
she knew the world she was about to live in, since she testi- 
fied so much surprise at finding it full of villainy. 

‘^But by what means,” she added, “could you, maiden, be- 
come possessed of the secret views of a man so cautious as 
Lord Dalgarno — as villains in general are?” 

“Permit me to be silent on that subject,” said the maiden. 
“ I could not tell you without betraying others ; let it sufiice 
that my tidings are as certain as the means by which I 
acquired them are secret and sure. But I must not tell them 
even to you. ” 

“You are too bold, Margaret,” said the lady, “to traffic in 
such matters at your early age. It is not only dangerous, but 
even unbecoming and unmaidenly.” 

“I knew you would say that also,” said Margaret, with 
more meekness and patience than she usually showed on re- 
ceiving reproof; “but, God knows, my heart acquits me of 
every other feeling save that of the wish to assist this most 
innocent and betrayed man. I contrived to send him warning 
of his friend’s falsehood; alas! my care has only hastened 
his utter ruin, unless speedy aid be found. He charged his 
false friend with treachery, and drew on him in the Park, 
and is now liable to the fatal penalty due for breach of privi- 
lege of the king’s palace.” 

“This is indeed an extraordinary tale,” said Hermione. 
“ Is Lord Glenvarloch then in prison?” 

“ No, madam, thank God, but in the sanctuary at White- 
friars. It is matter of doubt whether it will protect him in 
such a case : they speak of a warrant from the Lord Chief 
Justice. A gentleman of the Temple has been arrested, and 
is in trouble, for having assisted him in his fiight. Even his 
taking temporary refuge in that base place, though from ex- 
treme necessity, will be used to the further defaming him. 
All this I know, and yet I cannot rescue him — cannot rescue 
him save by your means.” 


280 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ By my means, maiden?” said the lady; “you are beside 
yourself! What means can I possess in this secluded situa- 
tion of assisting this unfortunate nobleman?” 

“You have means,” said Margaret eagerly — “you have 
those means, unless I mistake greatly, which can do any- 
thing — can do everything — in this city — in this world: you 
have wealth, and the command of a small portion of it will 
enable me to extricate him from his present danger. He will 

be enabled and directed how to make his escape ; and I ” 

she paused. 

“ Will accompany him, doubtless, and reap the fruits of 
your sage exertions in his behalf?” said the Lady Hermione 
ironically. 

“May Heaven forgive you the unjust thought, lady,” an- 
swered Margaret. “ I will never see him more ; but I shall 
have saved him, and the thought will make me happy.” 

“ A cold conclusion to so bold and warm a flame, ” said the 
lady, with a smile which seemed to intimate incredulity. 

“It is, however, the only one which I expect, madam — I 
could almost say the only one which I wish — I am sure I will 
use no efforts to bring about any other ; if I am bold in his 
cause, I am timorous enough in my own. During our only 
interview I was unable to speak a word to him. He knows 
not the sound of my voice ; and all that I have risked, and 
must yet risk, I am doing for one who, were he asked the 
question, would say he has long since forgotten that he ever 
saw, spoke to, or sat beside a creature of so little signification 
as I am.” 

“ This is a strange and unreasonable indulgence of a passion 
equally fanciful and dangerous,” said the Lady Hermione. 

“You wiU not assist me, then?” said Margaret. “Have 
good day then, madam. My secret, I trust, is safe in such 
honourable keeping.” 

“ Tarry yet a little, ” said the lady, “ and tell me what re- 
source you have to assist this youth, if you were supplied with 
money to put it in motion.” 

“ It is superfluous to ask me the question, madam, ” answered 
Margaret, “ unless you purpose to assist me ; and, if you do so 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


281 


purpose, it is still superfluous. You could not understand the 
means I must use, and time is too brief to explain.’^ 

“But have you in reality such means said the lady. 

“ I have, with the command of a moderate sum, ’’ answered 
Margaret Ramsay, “ the power of baffling all his enemies — of 
eluding the passion of the irritated King — the colder but more 
determined displeasure of the Prince — the vindictive spirit of 
Buckingham, so hastily directed against whomsoever crosses 
the path of his ambition — the cold concentrated malice of Lord 
Dalgarno — all, I can baffle them all!’’ 

“ But is this to be done without your own personal risk, 
Margaret?” replied the lady; “for, be your purpose what it 
will, you are not to peril your own reputation or person in the 
romantic attempt of serving another; and I, maiden, am an- 
swerable to your godfather — to your benefactor and my own — 
not to aid you in any dangerous or unworthy enterprise.” 

“ Depend upon my word — my oath, dearest lady, ” replied 
the supplicant, “ that I will act by the agency of others, and 
do not myself design to mingle in any enterprise in which my 
appearance might be either perilous or unwomanly.” 

“I know not what to do,” said the Lady Hermione; “it is 
perhaps incautious and inconsiderate in me to aid so wild a 
project; yet the end seems honourable, if the means be sure. 
What is the penalty if he fall into their power?” 

“ Alas — alas! the loss of his right hand!” replied Margaret, 
her voice almost stifled with sobs. 

“Are the laws of England so cruel? Then there is mercy 
in Heaven alone,” said the lady, “since, even in this free 
land, men are wolves to each other. Compose yourself, Mar- 
garet, and tell me what money is necessary to secure Lord 
Glenvarloch’s escape.” 

“ Two hundred pieces, ” replied Margaret. “ I would speak 
to you of restoring them — and I must one day have the power — 
only that I know — that is, I think — your ladyship is indiffer- 
ent on that score. ” 

“ Not a word more of it,” said the lady ; “ call Monna Paula 
hither.” 


282 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XX. 

Credit me, friend, it hath been ever thus, 

Since the ark rested on Mount Ararat. 

False man hath sworn, and woman hath believed, 

Repented and reproach’d, and then believed once more. 

The New World. 

By the time that Margaret returned with Monna Paula, the 
Lady Hermione was rising from the table at which she had 
been engaged in writing something on a small slip of paper, 
which she gave to her attendant. 

Monna Paula, ’’ she said, “ carry this paper to Roberts, the 
cash-keeper; let him give you the money mentioned in the 
note, and bring it hither presently.’’ 

Monna Paula left the room, and her mistress proceeded. 

“ I do not know, ” she said, “ Margaret, if I have done, and 
am doing, well in this affair. My life has been one of strange 
seclusion, and I am totally unacquainted with the practical 
ways of this world — an ignorance which I know cannot be 
remedied by mere reading. I fear I am doing wrong to you, 
and perhaps to the laws of the country which affords me ref- 
uge, by thus indulging you ; and yet there is something in my 
heart which cannot resist your entreaties.” 

“Oh, listen to it — listen to it, dear, generous lady!” said 
Margaret, throwing herself on her knees and grasping those of 
her benefactress, and looking in that attitude like a beautiful 
mortal in the act of supplicating her tutelary angel; “the 
laws of men are but the injunctions of mortality, but what the 
heart prompts is the echo of the voice from Heaven within us.” 

“Rise — rise, maiden,” said Hermione; “you affect me more 
than I thought I could have been moved by aught that should 
approach me. Rise and tell me whence it comes that, in so 
short a time, your thoughts, your looks, your speech, and even 
your slightest actions, are changed from those of a capricious 
and fanciful girl to all this energy and impassioned eloquence 
of word and action?” 

“ I am sure I know not, dearest lady, ” said Margaret, look- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


283 


ing down ; “ but I suppose that, when I was a trifler, I was 
only thinking of trifles. What I now reflect is deep and seri- 
ous, and I am thankful if my speech and manner bear reason- 
able proportion to my thoughts.” 

“It must be so,” said the lady; “yet the change seems a 
rapid and strange one. It seems to l3e as if a childish girl 
had at once shot up into a deep-thinking and impassioned 
woman, ready to make exertions alike and sacrifices with all 
that vain devotion to a favourite object of affection which is 
often so basely rewarded.” 

The Lady Hermione sighed bitterly, and Monna Paula en- 
tered ere the conversation proceeded farther. She spoke to 
her mistress in the foreign language in which they frequently 
conversed, but which was unknown to Margaret. 

“We must have patience for a time,” said the lady to her 
visitor ; “ the cash-keeper is abroad on some business, but he 
is expected home in the course of half an hour.” 

Margaret wrung her hands in vexation and impatience. 

“ Minutes are precious, ” continued the lady ; “ that I am 
well aware of ; and we will at least suffer none of them to es- 
cape us. Monna Paula shall remain below and transact our 
business the very instant that Roberts returns home.” 

She spoke to her attendant accordingly, who again left the 
room. 

“ You are very kind, madam — very good,” said the poor lit- 
tle Margaret, while the anxious trembling of her lip and of her 
hand showed all that sickening agitation of the heart which 
arises from hope deferred. 

“ Be patient, Margaret, and collect yourself,” said the lady; 
“ you may — you must, have much to do to carry through this 
your bold purpose. Reserve your spirits, which you may need 
so much ; be patient, it is the only remedy against the evils 
of life.” 

“ Yes, madam,” said Margaret, wiping her eyes, and endea- 
vouring in vain to suppress the natural impatience of her tem- 
per, “ I have heard so —very often indeed ; and I dare say I 
have myself. Heaven forgive me, said so to people in perplex- 
ity and affliction ; but it was before I had suffered perplexity 


284 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


and vexation myself, and I am sure 1 will never preach pa- 
tience to any human being again, now that I know how much 
the medicine goes against the stomach.” 

“You will think better of it, maiden,” said the Lady Her- 
mione. “ I also, when I first felt distress, thought they did 
me wrong who spoke to me of patience; but my sorrows 
have been repeated and continued till I have been taught to 
cling to it as the best, and — religious duties excepted, of 
which, indeed, patience forms a part — the only, alleviation 
which life can afford them.” 

Margaret, who neither wanted sense nor feeling, wiped her 
tears hastily, and asked her patroness’s forgiveness for her 
petulance. 

“ I might have thought, ” she said — “ I ought to have re- 
fiected, that even from the manner of your life, madam, it is 
plain you must have suffered sorrow ; and yet, God knows, 
the patience which I have ever seen you display well entitles 
you to recommend your own example to others.” 

The lady was silent for a moment, and then replied : 

“ Margaret, I am about to repose a high confidence in you. 
You are no longer a child, but a thinking and a feeling woman. 
You have told me as much of your secret as you dared; I 
will let you know as much of mine as I may venture to tell. 
You will ask me, perhaps, why, at a moment when your own 
mind is agitated, I should force upon you the consideration 
of my sorrows? and I answer, that I cannot withstand the im- 
pulse which now induces me to do so. Perhaps, from having 
witnessed, for the first time these three years, the natural 
effects of human passion, my own sorrows have been 
awakened, and are for the moment too big for my own bosom ; 
perhaps I may hope that you, who seem driving full sail on 
the very rock on which I was wrecked for ever, will take 
warning by the tale I have to tell. Enough, if you are will- 
ing to listen, I am willing to tell you who the melancholy in- 
habitant of the Foljambe apartments really is, and why she 
resides here. It wiU serve, at least, to while away the time 
until Monna Paula shall bring us the reply from Roberts.” 

At any other moment of her life Margaret Ramsay would 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


285 


have heard with undivided interest a communication so flatter- 
ing in itself, and referring to a subject upon which the general 
curiosity had been so strongly excited. And even at this agi- 
tating moment, although she ceased not to listen with an anx- 
ious ear and throbbing heart for the sound of Monna Paula’s 
returning footsteps, she nevertheless, as gratitude and policy, 
as well as a portion of curiosity, dictated, composed herself, 
in appearance at least, to the strictest attention to the Lady 
Hermione, and thanked her with humility for the high confi- 
dence she was pleased to repose in her. The Lady Hermione, 
with the same calmness which always attended her speech and 
actions, thus recounted her story to her young friend : 

My father, ” she said, was a merchant, but he was of a 
city whose merchants are princes. I am the daughter of a 
noble house in Genoa, whose name stood as high in honour 
and in antiquity as any inscribed in the Golden Register of 
that famous aristocracy. 

^^My mother was a noble Scottishwoman. She was de- 
scended — do not start — and not remotely descended, of the 
house of Glenvarloch ; no wonder that I was easily led to take 
concern in the misfortunes of this young lord. He is my near 
relation, and my mother, who was more than sufficiently proud 
of her descent, early taught me to take an interest in the name. 
My maternal grandfather, a cadet of that house of Glenvar- 
loch, had followed the fortunes of an unhappy fugitive, 
Francis Earl of Bothwell, ’ who, after showing his miseries in 
many a foreign court, at length settled in Spain upon a miser- 
able pension, which he earned by conforming to the Catholic 
faith. Ralph Olifaunt, my grandfather, separated from him 
in disgust, and settled at Barcelona, where, by the friendship 
of the governor, his heresy, as it was termed, was connived 
at. My father, in the course of his commerce, resided more 
at Barcelona than in his native country, though at times he 
visited Genoa. 

It was at Barcelona that he became acquainted with my 
mother, loved her, and married her; they differed in faith, 
but they agreed in affection. I was their only child. In 
^ See Note 26. 


286 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


public I conformed to the doctrines and ceremonial of the 
Church of Rome; but my mother, by whom these were re- 
garded with horror, privately trained me up in those of the 
Reformed religion ; and my father, either indifferent in the 
matter or unwilling to distress the woman whom he loved, 
overlooked or connived at my secretly joining in her devo- 
tions. 

But when, unhappily, my father was attacked, while yet 
in the prime of life, by a slow wasting disease, which he felt 
to be incurable, he foresaw the hazard to which his widow 
aud orphan might be exposed, after he was no more, in a 
country so bigoted to Catholicism as Spain. He made it his 
business, during the two years of his life, to realise and to re- 
mit to England a large part of his fortune, which, by the faith 
and honour of his correspondent, the excellent man under whose 
roof I now reside, was employed to great advantage. Had my 
father lived to complete his purpose, by withdrawing his whole 
fortune from commerce, he himself would have accompanied 
us to England, and would have beheld us settled in peace and 
honour before his death. But Heaven had ordained it other- 
wise. He died, leaving several sums engaged in the hands 
of his Spanish debtors; and, in particular, he had made a 
large and extensive consignment to a certain wealthy society 
of merchants at Madrid, who showed no willingness after his 
death to account for the proceeds. Would to God we had 
left these covetous and wicked men in possession of their 
booty, for such they seemed to hold the property of their de- 
ceased correspondent and friend! We had enough for com- 
fort, and even splendour, already secured in England; but 
friends exclaimed upon the folly of permitting these unprinci- 
pled men to plunder us of our rightful property. The sum 
itself was large, and, the claim having been made, my mother 
thought that my father’s memory was interested in its being 
enforced, especially as the defences set up for the mercantile 
society went, in some degree, to impeach the fairness of his 
transactions. 

“We went therefore to Madrid. I was then, my Margaret, 
about your age, young and thoughtless, as you have hitherto 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


287 


been. We went, I say, to Madrid, to solicit the protection of 
the court and of the king, without which we were told it would 
be in vain to expect justice against an opulent and powerful 
association. 

^‘Our residence at the Spanish metropolis drew on from 
weeks to months. For my part, my natural sorrow for a 
kind, though not a fond, father having abated, I cared not if 
the lawsuit had detained us at Madrid for ever. My mother 
permitted herself and me rather more liberty than we had been 
accustomed to. She found relations among the Scottish and 
Irish officers, many of whom held a high rank in the Spanish 
armies; their wives and daughters became our friends and 
companions, and I had perpetual occasion to exercise my 
mother’s native language, which I had learned from my in- 
fancy. By degrees, as my mother’s spirits were low and her 
health indifferent, she was induced, by her partial fondness 
for me, to suffer me to mingle occasionally in society which 
she herself did not frequent, under the guardianship of such 
ladies as she imagined she could trust, and particularly under 
the care of the lady of a general officer, whose weakness or 
falsehood was the original cause of my misfortunes. I was 
as gay, Margaret, and thoughtless — I again repeat it — as you 
were but lately, and my attention, like yours, became sudden- 
ly riveted to one object, and to one set of feelings. 

The person by whom they were excited was young, noble, 
handsome, accomplished, a soldier, and a Briton. So far our 
cases are nearly parallel; but, may Heaven forbid that the 
parallel should become complete ! This man, so noble, so 
fairly formed, so gifted, and so brave — this villain, for that, 
Margaret, was his fittest name — spoke of love to me, and I 
listened. Could I suspect his sincerity? If he was wealthy, 
noble, and long descended, I also was a noble and an opulent 
heiress. It is true, that he neither knew the extent of my 
father’s wealth, nor did I communicate to him — I do not even 
remember if I myself knew it at the time — the important cir- 
cumstance, that the greater part of that wealth was beyond the 
grasp of arbitrary power, and not subject to the precarious 
award of arbitrary judges. My lover might think, perhaps. 


288 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


as my mother was desirous the world at large should believe, 
that almost our whole fortune depended on the precarious suit 
which we had come to Madrid to prosecute — a belief which 
she had countenanced out of policy, being well aware that a 
knowledge of my father’s having remitted such a large part 
of his fortune to England would in no shape aid the recovery 
of further sums in the Spanish courts. Yet, with no more 
extensive views of my fortune than were possessed by the 
public, I believe that he of whom I am speaking was at first 
sincere in his pretensions. He had himself interest sufficient 
to have obtained a decision in our favour in the courts, and 
my fortune, reckoning only what was in Spain, would then 
have been no inconsiderable sum. To be brief, whatever 
might be his motives or temptation for so far committing him- 
self, he applied to my mother for my hand, with my consent 
and approval. My mother’s judgment had become weaker, 
but her passions had become more irritable, during her in- 
creasing illness. 

“ You have heard of the bitterness of the ancient Scottish 
feuds, of which it may be said, in the language of Scripture, 
that the fathers eat sour grapes, and the teeth of the children 
are set on edge. Unhappily — I should say happily, consider- 
ing what this man has now shown himself to be — some such 
strain of bitterness had divided his house from my mother’s, 
and she had succeeded to the inheritance of hatred. When 
he asked her for my hand, she was no longer able to command 
her passions ; she raked up every injury which the rival fami- 
lies had inflicted upon each other during a bloody feud of two 
centuries, heaped him with epithets of scorn, and rejected his 
proposal of alliance as if it had come from the basest of man- 
kind. 

“ My lover retired in passion ; and I remained to weep and 
murmur against fortune, and — I will confess my fault — against 
my affectionate parent. I had been educated with different 
feelings, and the traditions of the feuds and quarrels of my 
mother’s family in Scotland, which were to her monuments 
and chronicles, seemed to me as insignificant and unmeaning 
as the actions and fantasies of Don Quixote ; and I blamed 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


289 


my mother bitterly for sacrificing my happiness to an empty 
dream of family dignity. 

While I was in this humour, my lover sought a renewal of 
our intercourse. We met repeatedly in the house of the lady 
whom I have mentioned, and who, in levity or in the spirit 
of intrigue, countenanced our secret correspondence. At 
length we were secretly married j so far did my blinded pas- 
sion hurry me- My lover had secured the assistance of a 
clergyman of the English Church. Monna Paula, who had 
been my attendant from infancy, was one witness of our 
union. Let me do the faithful creature justice. She con- 
jured me to suspend my purpose till my mother’s death should 
permit us to celebrate our marriage openly ; but the entreaties 
of my lover, and my own wayward passion, prevailed over her 
remonstrances. The lady I have spoken of was another wit- 
ness, but whether she was in full possession of my bride- 
groom’s secret I had never the means to learn. But the shel- 
ter of her name and roof afforded us the means of frequently 
meeting, and the love of my husband seemed as sincere and 
as unbounded as my own. 

“ He was eager, he said, to gratify his pride by introducing 
me to one or two of his noble English friends. This could not 

be done at Lady D ’sj but by his command, which I was 

now entitled to consider as my law, I contrived twice to visit 
him at his own hotel, accompanied only by Monna Paula. 
There was a very small party of two ladies and two gentle- 
men. There was music, mirth, and dancing. I had heard 
of the frankness of the English nation, but I could not help 
thinking it bordered on license during these entertainments, 
and in the course of the collation which followed; but I im- 
puted my scruples to my inexperience, and would not doubt 
the propriety of what was approved by my husband. 

“ I was soon summoned to other scenes. My poor mother’s 
disease drew to a conclusion. Happy I am that it took place 
before she discovered what would have cut her to the soul. 

“ In Spain you may have heard how the Catholic priests, 
and particularly the monks, besiege the beds of the dying, to 
obtain bequests for the good of the church. I have said that 
19 


290 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


my mother’s temper was irritated by disease, and her judgment 
impaired in proportion. She gathered spirits and force from 
the resentment which the priests around her bed excited by 
their importunity, and the boldness of the stern sect of Re- 
formers to which she had secretly adhered seemed to animate 
her dying tongue. She avowed the religion she had so long 
concealed ; renounced all hope and aid which did not come by 
and through its dictates; rejected with contempt the ceremo- 
nial of the Romish Church ; loaded the astonished priests with 
reproaches for their greediness and hypocrisy ; and commanded 
them to leave her house. They went in bitterness and rage, 
but it was to return with the Inquisitorial power, its warrants, 
and its officers ; and they found only the cold corpse left of her 
on whom they had hoped to work their vengeance. As I was 
soon discovered to have shared my mother’s heresy, I was 
dragged from her dead body, imprisoned in a solitary cloister, 
and treated with severity, which the abbess assured me was 
due to the looseness of my life, as well as my spiritual er- 
rors. I avowed my marriage, to justify the situation in 
which I found myself. I implored the assistance of the su- 
perior to communicate my situation to my husband. She 
smiled coldly at the proposal, and told me the church had 
provided a better spouse for me ; advised me to secure myself 
of Divine grace hereafter, and deserve milder treatment here, 
by presently taking the veil. In order to convince me that I 
had no other resource, she showed me a royal decree, by which 
all my estate was hypothecated to the convent of St. Magda- 
len, and became their complete property upon my death or my 
taking the vows. As I was, both from religious principle and 
affectionate attachment to my husband, absolutely immovable 
in my rejection of the veil, I believe — may Heaven forgive me 
if I wrong her ! — that the abbess was desirous to make sure of 
my spoils by hastening the former event. 

“ It was a small and a poor convent, and situated among 
the mountains of Guadarrama. Some of the sisters were the 
daughters of neighbouring hidalgoes, as poor as they were 
proud and ignorant; others were women immured there on 
account of their vicious conduct. The superior herself was of 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


291 


a high f amliy, to which she owed her situation ; but she was 
said to have disgraced her connexions by her conduct during 
youth, and now, in advanced age, covetousness and the love 
of power, a spirit, too, of severity and cruelty, had succeeded 
to the thirst after licentious pleasure. I suffered much under 
this woman ; and still her dark, glassy eye, her tall, shrouded 
form, and her rigid features, haunt my slumbers. 

“ I was not destined to be a mother. I was very ill, and 
my recovery was long doubtful. The most violent remedies 
were applied, if remedies they indeed were. My health was 
restored at length, against my own expectation and that of all 
around me. But when I first again beheld the reflection of 
my own face, I thougth it was the visage of a ghost. I was 
wont to be flattered by all, but particularly by my husband, 
for the fineness of my complexion ; it was now totally gone, 
and, what is more extraordinarj', it has never returned. I 
have observed that the few who now see me look upon me as 
a bloodless phantom. Such has been the abiding effect of the 
treatment to which I was subjected. May God forgive those 
who were the agents of it ! I thank Heaven, I can say so with 
as sincere a wish as that with which I pray for forgiveness of 
my own sins. They now relented somewhat towards me — 
moved, perhaps, to compassion by my singular appearance, 
which bore witness to my sufferings ; or afraid that the matter 
might attract attention during a visitation of the bishop which 
was approaching. One day, as I was walking in the convent 
garden, to which I had been lately admitted, a miserable old 
Moorish slave, who was kept to cultivate the little spot, mut- 
tered as I passed him, but still keeping his wrinkled face and 
decrepit form in the same angle with the earth, ‘ There is 
heart’s-ease near the postern.’ 

“ I knew something of the symbolical language of flowers, 
once carried to such perfection among the Moriscoes of Spain ; 
but if I had been ignorant of it, the captive would soon have 
caught at any hint that seemed to promise liberty. With all 
the haste consistent with the utmost circumspection, for I 
might be observed by the abbess or some of the sisters from 
the window, I hastened to the postern. It was closely barred 


292 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


as usual j but when I coughed slightly I was answered from 
the other side, and, 0 Heaven! it was my husband’s voice 
which said, ‘Lose not a minute here at present, but be on this 
spot when the vesper bell has tolled. ’ 

“ I retired in an ecstasy of joy. I was not entitled or per- 
mitted to assist at vespers, but was accustomed to be confined 
to my cell while the nuns were in the choir. Since my re- 
covery, they had discontinued locking the door, though the 
utmost severity was denounced against me if I left these pre- 
cincts. But, let the penalty be what it would, I hastened to 
dare it. No sooner had the last toll of the vesper bell ceased 
to sound than I stole from my chamber, reached the garden 
unobserved, hurried to the postern, beheld it open with rap- 
ture, and in the next moment was in my husband’s arms. He 
had with him another cavalier of noble mien ; both were masked 
and armed. Their horses, with one saddled for my use, stood 
in a thicket hard by, with two other masked horsemen, who 
seemed to be servants. In less than two minutes we were 
mounted, and rode off as fast as we could through rough and 
devious roads, in which one of the domestics appeared to act 
as guide. 

“ The hurried pace at which we rode, and the anxiety of 
the moment, kept me silent, and prevented my expressing 
my surprise or my joy save in a few broken words. It also 
served as an apology for my husband’s silence. At length we 
stopped at a solitary hut, the cavaliers dismounted, and I was 

assisted from my saddle, not by M M , my husband, 

I would say, who seemed busied about his horse, but by the 
stranger. 

“ ‘Go into the hut,’ said my husband, ‘ change your dress 
with the speed of lightning ; you will find one to assist you ; 
we must forward instantly when you have shifted your 
apparel.’ 

“ I entered the hut, and was received in the arms of the 
faithful Monna Paula, who had waited my arrival for many 
hours, half distracted with fear and anxiety. With her assis- 
tance I speedily tore off the detested garments of the convent, 
and exchanged them for a travelling-suit made after the Eng- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


293 


lish fashion. I observed that Monna Paula was in a similar 
dress. I had but just huddled on my change of attire, when 
we were hastily summoned to mount. A horse, I found, was 
provided for Monna Paula, and we resumed our route. On the 
way, my convent garb, which had been wrapped hastily to- 
gether around a stone, was thrown into a lake, along the verge 
of which we were then passing. The two cavaliers rode to- 
gether in front, my attendant and I followed, and the servants 
brought up the rear. Monna Paula, as we rode on, repeatedly 
entreated me to be silent upon the road, as our lives depended 
on it. I was easily reconciled to be passive, for, the first fever 
of spirits which attended the sense of liberation and of grati- 
fied affection having passed away, I felt as it were dizzy with 
the rapid motion ; and my utmost exertion was necessary to 
keep my place on the saddle, until we suddenly — it was now 
very dark — saw a strong light before us. 

My husband reined up his horse, and gave a signal by a 
low whistle twice repeated, which was answered from a dis- 
tance. The whole party then halted under the boughs of a 
large cork-tree, and my husband, drawing himself close to my 
side, said, in a voice which I then thought was only embar- 
rassed by fear for my safety: ‘ We must now part. Those to 
whom I commit you are contrabandists, who only know you as 
Englishwomen, but who, for a high bribe, have undertaken 
to escort you through the passes of the Pyrenees as far as St. 
Jean de Luz.’ 

“ ‘And do you not go with us? ’ I exclaimed with emphasis, 
though in a whisper. 

“ ‘ It is impossible, ^ he said, ‘ and would ruin all. See that 
you speak in. English in these people’s hearing, and give not 
the least sign of understanding what they say in Spanish — 
your life depends on it ; for, though they live in opposition to, 
and evasion of, the laws of Spain, they would tremble at the 
idea of violating those of the church. I see them coming — 
farewell — farewell. ” 

‘'The last words were hastily uttered. I endeavoured to 
detain him yet a moment by my feeble grasp on his cloak. 

“‘ You will meet me, then, I trust, at St. Jean de Luz.’ 


294 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ ‘ Yes — yes/ he answered hastily, ‘ at St. Jean de Luz you 
will meet your protector. ’ 

“ He then extricated his cloak from my grasp, and was lost 
in the darkness. His companion approached, kissed my hand, 
which in the agony of the moment I was scarce sensible of, and 
followed my husband, attended by one of the domestics.” 

The tears of Hermioiie here flowed so fast as to threaten 
the interruption of her narrative. When she resumed it, it 
was with a kind of apology to Margaret. 

“Every circumstance,” she said, “occurring at those mo- 
ments, when I still enjoyed a delusive idea of happiness, is 
deeply imprinted in my remembrance, which, respecting all 
that has since happened, is waste and unvaried as an Arabian 
desert. But I have no right to inflict on you, Margaret, agi- 
tated as you are with your own anxieties, the unavailing de- 
tails of my useless recollections.” 

Margaret’s eyes were full of tears ; it was impossible it could 
be otherwise, considering that the tale was told by her suffer- 
ing benefactress, and resembled in some respects her own situ- 
ation ; and yet she must not be severely blamed if, while eagerly 
pressing her patroness to continue her narrative, her eye in- 
voluntarily sought the door, as if to chide the delay of Monna 
Paula. 

The Lady Hermione saw and forgave these conflicting emo- 
tions j and she too must be pardoned if, in her turn, the mi- 
nute detail of her narrative showed that, in the discharge of 
feelings so long locked in her own bosom, she rather forgot 
those which were personal to her auditor, and by which it 
must be supposed Margaret’s mind was principally occupied, 
if not entirely engrossed. 

“ I told you, I think, that one domestic followed the gentle- 
men, ” thus the lady continued her story ; “ the other remained 
with us for the purpose, as it seemed, of introducing us to two 

persons whom M , I say, whom my husband’s signal had 

brought to the spot. A word or two of explanation passed 
between them and the servant, in a sort of patois which I did 
not understand ; and one of the strangers taking hold of my 
bridle, the other of Monna Paula’s, they led us towards the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


295 


light, which I have already said was the signal of our halting. 
I touched Monna Paula, and was sensible that she trembled 
very much, which surprised me, because I knew her character 
to be so strong and bold as to border upon the masculine. 

“ When he reached the fire, the gipsy figures of those who 
surrounded it, with their swarthy features, large sombrero 
hats, girdles stuck full of pistols and poniards, and all the 
other apparatus of a roving and perilous life, would have ter- 
rified me at another moment. But then I only felt the agony 
of having parted from my husband almost in the very moment 
of my rescue. The females of the gang — for there were four 
or five women amongst these contraband traders — received us 
with a sort of rude courtesy. They were, in dress and man- 
ners, not extremely different from the men with whom they 
associated — were almost as hardy and adventurous, carried 
arms like them, and were, as we learned from passing circum- 
stances, scarce less experienced in the use of them. 

“ It was impossible not to fear these wild people ; yet they 
gave us no reason to complain of them, but used us on all oc- 
casions with a kind of clumsy courtesy, accommodating them- 
selves to our wants and our weakness during the journey, even 
while we heard them grumbling to each other against our 
effeminacy — like some rude carrier, who, in charge of a pack- 
age of valuable and fragile ware, takes every precaution for 
its preservation, while he curses the unwonted trouble which 
it occasions him. Once or twice, when they were disappointed 
in their contraband traffic, lost some goods in a rencontre with 
the Spanish officers of the revenue, and were finally pursued 
by a military force, their murmurs assumed a more alarming 
tone in the terrified ears of my attendant and myself, when, 
without daring to seem to understand them, we heard them 
curse the insular heretics, on whose account God, St. James, 
and Our Lady of the Pillar had blighted their hopes of profit. 
These are dreadful recollections, Margaret.^’ 

“Why, then, dearest lady,” answered Margaret, “will you 
thus dwell on them?” 

“ It is only, ” said the Lady Hermione, “ because I linger 
like a criminal on the scaffold, and would fain protract the 


296 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


time that must inevitably bring on the final catastrophe. 
Yes, dearest Margaret, I rest and dwell on the events of that 
journey, marked as it was by fatigue and danger, though the 
road lay through the wildest and most desolate deserts and 
mountains, and though our companions, both men and women, 
were fierce and lawless themselves, and exposed to the most 
merciless retaliation from those with whom they were con- 
stantly engaged — yet would I rather dwell on these hazardous 
events than tell that which awaited me at St. Jean de Luz.^^ 

“But you arrived there in safety said Margaret. 

“Yes, maiden,’’ replied the Lady Hermione; “and were 
guided by the chief of our outlawed band to the house which 
had been assigned for our reception, with the same punctilious 
accuracy with which he would have delivered a bale of uncus- 
tomed goods to a correspondent. I was told a gentleman had 
expected me for two days ; I rushed into the apartment, and, 
when I expected to embrace my husband — I found myself in 
the arms of his friend.” 

“ The villain!” exclaimed Margaret, whose anxiety had, in 
spite of herself, been a moment suspended by the narrative of 
the lady. 

“Yes,” replied Hermione, calmly, though her voice some- 
what faltered, “ it is the name that best — that well befits him. 
He, Margaret, for whom I had sacrificed all — whose lova and 
whose memory were dearer to me than my freedom, when I 
was in the convent — than my life, when I was on my perilous 
journey — had taken his measures to shake me off, and trans- 
fer me, as a privileged wanton, to the protection of his liber- 
tine friend. At first the stranger laughed at my tears and my 
agony, as the hysterical passion of a deluded and overreached 
wanton, or the wily affectation of a courtezan. My claim of 
marriage he laughed at, assuring me he knew it was a mere 
farce required by me, and submitted to by his friend, to save 
some reserve of delicacy; and expressed his surprise that I 
should consider in any other light a ceremony which could be 
valid neither in Spain nor England, and insultingly offered to 
remove my scruples by renewing such a union with me him- 
self. My exclamations brought Monna Paula to my aid ; she 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


297 


was not, indeed, far distant, for she had expected some such 
scene.’’ 

“Good Heaven!” said Margaret, “was she a confidante of 
your base husband!” 

“No,” answered Hermione, “do her not that injustice. It 
was her persevering inquiries that discovered the place of my 
confinement; it was she who gave the information to my hus- 
band, and who remarked even then that the news was so much 
more interesting to his friend than to him, that she suspected, 
from an early period, it was the purpose of the villain to shake 
me off. On the journey, her suspicions were confirmed. She 
had heard him remark to his companion, with a cold sarcastic 
sneer, the total change which my prison and my illness had 
made on my complexion ; and she had heard the other reply, 
that the defect might be cured by a touch of Spanish red. 
This and other circumstances having prepared her for such 
treachery, Monna Paula now entered, completely possessed of 
herself, and prepared to support me. Her calm representa- 
tions went farther with the stranger than the expressions of 
my despair. If he did not entirely believe our tale, he at 
least acted the part of a man of honour, who would not in- 
trude himself on defenceless females, whatever was their char- 
acter ; desisted from persecuting us with his presence ; and not 
only directed Monna Paula how we should journey to Paris, 
but furnished her with money for the purpose of our journey. 
From the capital I wrote to Master Heriot, my father’s most 
trusted correspondent ; he came instantly to Paris on receiv- 
ing the letter ; and But here comes Monna Paula, with 

more than the sum you desired. Take it, my dearest maiden ; 
serve this youth if you will. But, 0 Margaret, look for no 
gratitude in return!” 

The Lady Hermione took the bag of gold from her attend- 
ant and gave it to her young friend, who threw herself into 
her arms, kissed her on both the pale cheeks, over which the 
sorrows so newly awakened by her narrative had drawn many 
tears, then sprung up, wiped her own overflowing eyes, and 
left the Foljambe apartments with a hasty and resolved step. 


298 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

Rove not from pole to pole. The man lives here 
Whose razor’s only equall’d by his beer; 

And where, in either sense, the cockney put 
May, if he pleases, get confounded cut. 

On the Sign of an Alehouse kept by a Barber. 

We are under the necessity of transporting our readers to 
the habitation of Benjamin Suddlechop, the husband of the 
active and efficient Dame Ursula, and who also, in his own 
person, discharged more offices than one. Eor, besides trim- 
ming locks and beards, and turning whiskers upward into the 
martial and swaggering curl, or downward into the drooping 
form which became mustachios of civil policy ; besides also 
occasionally letting blood, either by cupping or by the lancet, 
extracting a stump, and performing other actions of petty 
pharmacy, very nearly as well as his neighbour Raredrench, 
the apothecary, he could, on occasion, draw a cup of beer as 
well as a tooth, tap a hogshead as well as a vein, and wash, 
with a draught of good ale, the mustachios which his art had 
just trimmed. But he carried on these trades apart from each 
other. 

His barber’s shop projected its long and mysterious pole 
into Fleet Street, painted party-coloured-wise, to represent 
the ribbons with which, in elder times, that ensign was gar- 
nished. In the window were seen rows of teeth displayed 
upon strings like rosaries ; cups with a red rag at the bottom, 
to resemble blood — an intimation that patients might be bled, 
cupped, or blistered, with the assistance of “sufficient ad- 
vice” ; while the more profitable, but less honourable, opera- 
tions upon the hair of the head and beard were briefly and 
gravely announced. Within was the well-worn leathern chair 
for customers, the guitar, then called a ghittern or cittern, 
with which a customer might amuse himself till his prede- 
cessor was dismissed from under Benjamin’s hands, and 
which, therefore, often flayed the ears of the patient metaphor- 
ically, while his chin sustained from the razor literal scariflca- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


299 


tion. All, therefore, in this department spoke the chirurgeon- 
barber, or the barber-chirurgeon. 

But there was a little back room, used as a private tap- 
room, which had a separate entrance by a dark and crooked 
alley, which communicated with Fleet Street, after a circuit- 
ous passage through several bye lanes and courts. This re- 
tired temple of Bacchus had also a connexion with Benjamin’s 
more public shop by a long and narrow entrance, conducting 
to the secret premises in which a few old topers used to take 
their morning-draught, and a few gill-sippers their modicum 
of strong waters, in a bashful way, after having entered the 
barber’s shop under pretence of being shaved. Besides, this 
obscure tap-room gave a separate admission to the apartments 
of Dame Ursley, which she was believed to make use of in 
the course of her multifarious practice, both to let herself se- 
cretly out and to admit clients and employers who cared not 
to be seen to visit her in public. Accordingly, after the hour 
of noon, by which time the modest and timid whetters, who 
were Benjamin’s best customers, had each had his draught or 
his thimbleful, the business of the tap was in a manner ended, 
and the charge of attending the back door passed from one of 
the barber’s apprentices to the little mulatto girl, the dingy 
Iris of Dame Suddlechop. Then came mystery thick upon 
mystery : muffled gallants and masked females, in disguises of 
different fashions, were seen to glide through the intricate 
mazes of the alley ; and even the low tap on the door, which 
frequently demanded the attention of the little Creole, had in 
it something that expressed secrecy and fear of discovery. 

It was the evening of the same day when Margaret had held 
the long conference with the Lady Hermione, that Dame Sud- 
dlechop had directed her little portress to “ keep the door fast 
as a miser’s purse-strings ; and, as she valued her saffron skin, 

to let in none but ” the name she added in a whisper, and 

accompanied it with a nod. The little domestic blinked in- 
telligence, went to her post, and in brief time thereafter ad- 
mitted and ushered into the presence of the dame that very 
city gallant whose clothes sat awkwardly upon him, and who 
had behaved so doughtily in the fray which befell at Nigel’s 


300 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


first visit to Beaujeu’s ordinary. The mulatto introduced him 
— “ Missis, fine young gentleman, all over gold and velvet” — 
then muttered to herself as she shut the door, Fine young 
gentleman, he! — apprentice to him who makes the tick-tick.” 

It was indeed — we are sorry to say it, and trust our readers 
will sympathise with the interest we take in the matter — it 
was indeed honest Jin Vin, who had been so far left to his 
own devices, and abandoned by his better angel, as occasion- 
ally to travesty himself in this fashion, and to visit, in the 
dress of a gallant of the day, those places of pleasure and dis- 
sipation in which it would have been everlasting discredit to 
him to have been seen in his real character and condition ; 
that is, had it been possible for him in his proper shape to 
have gained admission. There was now a deep gloom on his 
brow, his rich habit was hastily put on, and buttoned awry ; 
his belt buckled in a most disorderly fashion, so that his 
sword stuck outwards from his side, instead of hanging by it 
with graceful negligence j while his poniard, though fairly 
hatched and gilded, stuck in his girdle like a butcher’s steel 
in the fold of his blue apron. Persons of fashion had, by the 
way, the advantage formerly of being better distinguished 
from the vulgar than at present j for, what the ancient far- 
thingale and more modern hoop were to court ladies, the 
sword was to the gentleman — an article of dress which only 
rendered those ridiculous who assumed it for the nonce, with- 
out being in the habit of wearing it. Vincent’s rapier got 
between his legs, and, as he stumbled over it, he exclaimed : 
“ Zounds ! ’tis the second time it has served me thus. I be- 
lieve the damned trinket knows I am no true gentleman, and 
does it of set purpose. ” 

“Come — come, mine honest Jin Vin — come, my good boy,” 
said the dame, in a soothing tone, “ never mind these trank- 
ums; a frank and hearty London ’prentice is worth all the 
gallants of the inns of court.” 

“ I was a frank and hearty London ’prentice before I knew 
you. Dame Suddlechop,” said Vincent. “What your advice 
has made me, you may find a name for; since, fore George, 
I am ashamed to think about it myseK. ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


301 


“ A-well-a-day,” quoted the dame, “and is it even so with 
thee? — nay, then, I know but one cure”; and with that, going 
to a little corner cupboard of carved wainscot, she opened it 
by the assistance of a key which, with half a dozen besides, 
hung in a silver chain at her girdle, and produced a long flask 
of thin glass cased with wicker, bringing forth at the same 
time two Flemish rummer glasses, with long stalks and capa- 
cious wombs. She filled the one brimful for her guest, and 
the other more modestly to about two-thirds of its capacity 
for her own use, repeating, as the rich cordial trickled forth 
in a smooth oily stream : “ Right rosa solis, as ever washed 
mulligrubs out of a moody brain!” 

But, though Jin Vin tossed off his glass without scruple, 
while the lady sipped hers more moderately, it did not appear 
to produce the expected amendment upon his humour. On 
the contrary, as he threw himself into the great leathern chair 
in which Dame Ursley was wont to solace herself of an even- 
ing, he declared himself “the most miserable dog within the 
sound of Bow Bell.” 

“ And why should you be so idle as to think yourself so, 
silly boy?” said Dame Suddlechop; “but ’tis always thus; 
fools and children never know when they are well. Why, 
there is not one that walks in St. PauBs, whether in flat cap 
or hat and feather, that has so many kind glances from the 
wenches as you, when ye swagger along Fleet Street with your 
bat under your arm, and your cap set aside upon your head. 
Thou knowest well that, from Mrs. Deputy’s self down to the 
waistcoateers in the alley, all of them are twiring and peeping 
betwixt their fingers when you pass ; and yet you call your- 
self a miserable dog ! and I must tell you all this over and 
over again, as if I were whistling the chimes of London to a 
pettish child, in order to bring the pretty baby into good- 
humour!” 

The flattery of Dame Ursula seemed to have the fate of her 
cordial : it was swallowed, indeed, by the party to whom she 
presented it, and that with some degree of relish, but it did 
not operate as a sedative on the disturbed state of the youth’s 
mind. He laughed for an instant, half in scorn and half in 


302 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


gratified vanity, but cast a sullen look on Dame Ursley as he 
replied to her last words : 

“ You do treat me like a child indeed, when you sing over 
and over to me a cuckoo song that I care not a copper-filing 
for. ’’ 

“Aha!” said Dame Ursley; “that is to say, you care not 
if you please all, unless you please one. You are a true lover, 
I warrant, and care not for all the city, from here to White- 
chapel, so you could write yourself first in your pretty Peg-a- 
Ramsay^s good-will. Well — well, take patience, man, and be 
guided by me, for I will be the hoop will bind you together 
at last.” 

“It is time you were so,” said Jenkin, “for hitherto you 
have rather been the wedge to separate us.” 

Dame Suddlechop had by this time finished her cordial ; it 
was not the first she had taken that day, and, though a woman 
of strong brain, and cautious at least, if not abstemious, in 
her potations, it may nevertheless be supposed that her pa- 
tience was not improved by the regimen which she observed. 

“Why, thou ungracious and ingrate knave,” said Dame 
Ursley, “have not I done everything to put thee in thy mis- 
tress’s good graces? She loves gentry, the proud Scottish 
minx, as a Welshman loves cheese, and has her father’s de- 
scent from the Duke of Daldevil, or whatsoever she calls him, 
as close in her heart as gold in a miser’s chest, though she as 
seldom shows it; and none she will think of, or have, but a 
gentleman; and a gentleman I have made of thee, Jin Vin, 
the devil cannot deny that.” 

“ You have made a fool of me,” said poor Jenkin, looking at 
the sleeve of his jacket. 

“Never the worse gentleman for that,” said Dame Ursley, 
laughing. 

“ And what is worse, ” said he, turning his back to her sud- 
denly, and writhing in his chair, “you have made a rogue 
of me.” 

“Never the worse gentleman for that neither,” said Dame 
Ursley, in the same tone; “let a man bear his folly gaily and 
his knavery stoutly, and let me see if gravity or honesty will 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


303 


look him in the face nowadays. Tut, man, it was only in the 
time of King Arthur or King Lud that a gentleman was held 
to blemish his scutcheon by a leap over the line of reason or 
honesty. It is the bold look, the ready hand, the fine clothes, 
the brisk oath, and the wild brain that makes the gallant 
nowadays. ” 

“I know what you have made me,^’ said JinVin; “since 
I have given up skittles and trap-ball for tennis and bowls, 
good English ale for thin Bordeaux and sour Rhenish, roast- 
beef and pudding for woodcocks and kickshaws, my bat for a 
sword, my cap for a beaver, my ^ forsooth ’ for a modish oath, 
my Christmas-box for a dice-box, my religion for the deviPs 

matins, and mine honest name for Woman, I could brain 

thee, when I think whose advice has guided me in all this!” 

“Whose advice, then? — whose advice, then? Speak out, 
thou poor, petty cloak-brusher, and say who advised thee!” 
retorted Dame Ursley, flushed and indignant. “ Marry come 
up, my paltry companion ; say by whose advice you have made 
a gamester of yourself, and a thief besides, as your words 
would bear — the Lord deliver us from evil!” And here Dame 
Ursley devoutly crossed herself. 

“Hark ye. Dame Ursley Suddlechop,” said Jenkin, start- 
ing up, his dark eyes flashing with anger ; “ remember I am 
none of your husband ; and, if I were, you would do well not 
to forget whose threshold was swept when they last rode 
the Skimmington* upon such another scolding jade as your- 
self.” 

“ I hope to see you ride up Holborn next,” said Dame Urs- 
ley, provoked out of all her holyday and sugar-plum expres- 
sions, “ with a nosegay at your breast and a parson at your 
elbow!” 

“ That may well be,” answered Jin Vin, bitterly, “ if I walk 
by your counsels as I have begun by them j but, before that 
day comes, you shall know that Jin Vin has the brisk boys of 
Fleet Street still at his wink. Yes, you jade, you shall be 
carted for bawd and conjurer, double-dyed in grain, and bing 
off to Bridewell, with every brass basin betwixt the Bar and 
1 See Note 27. 


304 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


PauPs beating before you, as if the devil were banging them 
with his beef -hook.” 

Dame Ursley coloured like scarlet, seized upon the half- 
emptied flask of cordial, and seemed, by her first gesture, 
about to hurl it at the head of her adversary ; but suddenly, 
and as if by a strong internal effort, she checked her outrage- 
ous resentment, and, putting the bottle to its more legitimate 
use, filled, with wonderful composure, the two glasses, and, 
taking up one of them, said, with a smile, which better be- 
came her comely and jovial countenance than the fury by 
which it was animated the moment before ; 

“ Here is to thee, Jin Vin, my lad, in all loving-kindness, 
whatever spite thou bearest to me, that have always been a 
mother to thee.” 

Jenkin’s English good-nature could not resist this forcible 
appeal; he took up the other glass, and lovingly pledged the 
dame in her cup of reconciliation, and proceeded to make a 
kind of grumbling apology for his own violence. 

“ For you know, ” he said, “ it was you persuaded me to get 
these fine things, and go to that godless ordinary, and ruffle 
it with the best, and bring you home all the news ; and you 
said I, that was the cock of the ward, would soon be the cock 
of the ordinary, and would win ten times as much at gleek and 
primero as I used to do at put and beggar-my-neighbour, and 
turn up doublets with the dice as busily as I was wont to trowl 
down the ninepins in the skittle-ground; and then you said I 
should bring you such news out of the ordinary as should 
make us all, when used as you knew how to use it ; and now 
you see what is to come of it all!” 

“’Tis all true thou sayest, lad,” said the dame; “but thou 
must have patience. Rome was not built in a day. You can- 
not become used to your court suit in a month’s time, any 
more than when you changed your long coat for a doublet and 
hose ; and in gaming you must expect to lose as well as gain ; 
’tis the sitting gamester sweeps the board.” 

“The board has swept me, I know,” replied Jin Vin, “and 
that pretty clean out. I would that were the worst; but I 
owe for all this finery, and settling-day is coming on, and my 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


305 


master will find my accompt worse than it should be by a score 
of pieces. My old father will be called in to make them good; 
and I — may save the hangman a labour and do the job myself, 
or go the Virginia voyage.” 

“Do not speak so loud, my dear boy,” said Dame Ursley; 
“but tell me why you borrow not from a friend to make up 
your arrear. You could lend him as much when his settling- 
day came round.” 

“ No-— no, I have had enough of that work, ” said Vincent. 
“ Tunstall would lend me the money, poor fellow, an he had 
it; but his gentle, beggarly kindred plunder him of all, and 
keep him as bare as a birch at Christmas. No — my fortune 
may be spelt in four letters, and these read, ruin.” 

“Now hush, you simple craven,” said the dame; “did you 
never hear that when the need is highest the help is nighest? 
We may find aid for you yet, and sooner than you are aware 
of. I am sure I would never have advised you to such a 
course, but only you had set heart and eye on pretty Mistress 
Marget, and less would not serve you ; and what could I do 
but advise you to cast your city slough, and try your luck 
where folks find fortune?” 

“Ay — ay, I remember your counsel well,” said Jenkin; “I 
was to be introduced to her by you when I was perfect in my 
gallantries, and as rich as the king; and then she was to be 
surprised to find I was poor Jin Vin, that used to watch, from 
matin to curfew, for one glance of her eye ; and now, instead 
of that, she has set her soul on this Scottish sparrow-hawk 
of a lord that won my last tester, and be cursed to him; 
and so I am bankrupt in love, fortune, and character, be- 
fore I am out of my time, and all along of you. Mother Mid- 
night.” 

“ Do not call me out of my own name, my dear boy, Jin 
Vin,” answered Ursula, in a tone betwixt rage and coaxing — 
“ do not ; because I am no saint, but a poor sinful woman, 
with no more patience than she needs to carry her through a 
thousand crosses. And if I have done you wrong by evil 
counsel, I must mend it, and put you right by good advice. 
And for the score of pieces that must be made up at settling- 
20 


306 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


day, why, here is, in a good green purse, as much as will make 
that matter good j and we will get old Crosspatch, the tailor, 
to take a long day for your clothes ; and ” 

“Mother, are you serious?” said Jin Vin, unable to trust 
either his eyes or his ears. ” 

“ In troth am I, ” said the dame ; “ and will you call me 
Mother Midnight now, Jin Vin?” 

“Mother Midnight!” exclaimed Jenkin, hugging the dame 
in his transport, and bestowing on her still comely cheek a 
hearty and not unacceptable smack, that sounded like the re- 
port of a pistol — “ Mother Midday, rather, that has risen to 
light me out of my troubles — a mother more dear than she 
who bore me; for she, poor soul, only brought me into a 
world of sin and sQrrow, and your timely aid has helped me 
out of the one and the other.” And the good-natured fellow 
threw himself back in his chair, and fairly drew his hand 
across his eyes. 

“ You would not have me be made to ride the Skimmington 
then, ” said the dame ; “ or parade me in a cart, with all the 
brass basins of the ward beating the march to Bridewell be- 
fore me?” 

“ I would sooner be carted to Tyburn myself, ” replied the 
penitent. 

“ W'hy, then, sit up like a man and wipe thine eyes ; and, 
if thou art pleased with what I have done, I will show thee 
how thou mayest requite me in the highest degree.” 

“How?” said Jenkin Vincent, sitting straight up in his 
chair. “ You would have me, then, do you some service for 
this friendship of yours?” 

“Ay, marry would I,” said Dame Ursley; “for you are to 
know that, though I am right glad to stead you with it, this 
gold is not mine, but was placed in my hands in order to find 

a trusty agent for a certain purpose ; and so But what’s 

the matter with you? are you fool enough to be angry because 
you cannot get a purse of gold for nothing? I would I knew 
where such were to come by. I never could find them lying 
in my road, I promise you.” 

“ No — no, dame,” said poor Jenkin, “ it is not for that; for, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


307 


look you, I would rather work these ten bones to the knuckles, 
and live by my labour j but ” and here he paused. 

“But what, man?’’ said Dame Ursley. “You are willing 
to work for what you want j and yet, when I offer you gold 
for the winning, you look on me as the devil looks over Lin- 
coln.” 

“It is ill talking of the devil, mother,” said Jenkin. “I 
had him even now in my head; for, look you, I am at that * 
pass when they say he will appear to wretched, ruined crea- 
tures and proffer them gold for the fee-simple of their salva- 
tion. But I have been trying these two days to bring my 
mind strongly up to the thought that I will rather sit down 
in shame, and sin, and sorrow, as I am like to do, than hold 
on in ill courses to get rid of my present straits; and so take 
care. Dame Ursula, how you tempt me to break such a good 
resolution. ” 

“I tempt you to nothing, young man,” answered Ursula; 

“ and, as I perceive you are too wilful to be wise, I will e’en 
put my purse in my pocket and look out for some one that 
will work my turn with better will and more thankfulness. 
And you may go your own course : break your indenture, ruin 
your father, lose your character, and bid pretty Mistress 
Margaret farewell for ever and a day. ” 

“Stay — stay,” said Jenkin; “the woman is in as great a 
hurry as a brown baker when his oven is overheated. First, 
let me hear that which you have to propose to me.” 

“ Why, after all, it is but to get a gentleman of rank and 
fortune, who is in trouble, carried in secret down the river as 
far as the Isle of Dogs, or somewhere thereabout, where he 
may lie concealed until he can escape abroad. I know thou 
knowest every place by the river’s side as well as the devil 
knows an usurer or the beggar knows his dish.” 

“ A plague of your similes, dame, ” replied the apprentice ; 

“ for the devil gave me that knowledge, and beggary may be 
the end on’t. But what has this gentleman done, that he 
should need to be under hiding? No Papist, I hope — no 
Catesby and Piercy business — no Gunpowder Plot?” 

“Fie — fie! what do you take me for?” said Dame Ursula. 


308 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ I am as good a cLurch woman as the parson’s wife, save that 
necessary business will not allow me to go there oftener than 
on Christmas Day, Heaven help me! No — no, this is no 
Popish matter. The gentleman hath but struck another in 
the Park ” 

“Ha! what?” said Vincent, interrupting her with a start. 

“ Ay — ay, I see you guess whom I mean. It is even he we 
have spoken of so often — just Lord Glenvarloch, and no one 
else. ” 

Vincent sprung from his seat, and traversed the room with 
rapid and disorderly steps. 

“ There — there it is now : you are always ice or gunpowder. 
You sit in the great leathern arm-chair as quiet as a rocket 
hangs upon the frame in a rejoicing-night till the match be 
fired, and then, whizz ! you are in the third heaven, beyond 
the reach of the human voice, eye, or brain. When you have 
wearied yourself with padding to and fro across the room, wiU 
you tell me your determination, for time presses? Will you 
aid me in this matter or not?” 

“No — no — no — a thousand times no,” replied Jenkin. 
“ Have you not confessed to me that Margaret loves him?” 

“ Ay, ” answered the dame, “ that she thinks she does ; but 
that will not last long. ” 

“ And have I not told you but this instant,” replied Jenkin, 
“ that it was this same Glenvarloch that rooked me, at the ordi- 
nary, of every penny I had, and made a knave of me to boot, 
by gaining more than was my own? 0 that cursed gold, 
which Shortyard, the mercer, paid me that morning on ac- 
compt, for mending the clock of St. Stephen’s! If I had 
not, by ill chance, had that about me, I could but have beg- 
gared my purse, without blemishing my honesty ; and, after 
I had been rooked of all the rest amongst them, I must needs 
risk the last five pieces with that shark among the min- 
nows!” 

“Granted,” said Dame Ursula. “All this I know; and I 
own that, as Lord Glenvarloch was the last you played with, 
you have a right to charge your ruin on his head. Moreover, 
I admit, as already said, that Margaret has made him your 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


309 


rival. Yet surely, now lie is in danger to lose his hand, it is 
not a time to remember all this?” 

“By my faith, but it is, though,” said the young citizen. 
“ Lose his hand, indeed ! They may take his head, for what 
I care. Head and hand have made me a miserable wretch!” 

“Now, were it not better, my prince of flat-caps,” said 
Dame Ursula, “that matters were squared between you; and 
that, through means of the same Scottish lord, who has, as 
you say, deprived you of your money and your mistress, you 
should in a short time recover both?” 

“And how can your wisdom come to that conclusion, 
dame?” said the apprentice. “My money, indeed, I can con- 
ceive — that is^ if I comply with your proposal — but my pretty 
Margaret ! how serving this lord, whom she has set her non- 
sensical head upon, can do me good with her is far beyond my 
conception. ” 

“That is because, in simple phrase,” said Dame Ursula, 
“ thou knowest no more of a woman’s heart than doth a Nor- 
folk gosling. Look you, man. Were I to report to Mistress 
Marget that the young lord has miscarried through thy lack 
of courtesy in refusing to help him, why, then, thou wert 
odious to her for ever. She will loathe thee as she will loathe 
the very cook who is to strike off Glenvarloch’s hand with his 
cleaver ; and then she will be yet more fixed in her affections 
towards this lord. London will hear of nothing but him — 
speak of nothing but him — think of nothing but him, for three 
weeks at least, and all that outcry will serve to keep him up- 
permost in her mind ; for nothing pleases a girl so much as 
to bear relation to any one who is the talk of the whole world 
around her. Then, if he suffer this sentence of the law, it is 
a chance if she ever forgets him. I saw that handsome, proper 
young gentleman, Babington, suffer in the Queen’s time my- 
self, and though I was then but a girl, he was in my head for 
a year after he was hanged. But, above all, pardon or pun- 
ished, Glenvarloch will probably remain in London, and his 
presence will keep up the silly girl’s nonsensical fancy about 
him. Whereas, if he escapes ” 

“Ay, show me how that is to avail me?” said Jenkin. 


310 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“If he escapes/’ said the dame, resuming her argument, 
“ he must resign the court for years, if not for life ; and you 
know the old saying, ^Out of sight, and out of mind.’ ” 

“True — most true,” said Jenkin; “spoken like an oracle, 
most wise Ursula.” 

“Ay — ay, I knew you would hear reason at last,” said the 
wily dame ; “ and then, when this same lord is off and away 
for once and for ever, who, I pray you, is to be pretty pet’s 
confidential person, and who is to fill up the void in her affec- 
tions? Why, who but thou, thou pearl of ’prentices! And 
then you will have overcome your own inclinations to comply 
with hers, and every woman is sensible of that 5 and you will 
have run some risk, too, in carrying her desires into effect, 
and what is it that woman likes better than bravery and de- 
votion to her will? Then you have her secret, and she must 
treat you with favour and observance, and repose confidence 
in you, and hold private intercourse with you, till she weeps 
with one eye for the absent lover whom she is never to see 
again, and blinks with the other blythely upon him who is in 
presence ; and then if you know not how to improve the rela- 
tion in which you stand with her, you are not the brisk lively 
lad that all the world takes you for. Said I well?” 

“You have spoken like an empress, most mighty Ursula,” 
said Jenkin Vincent; “and your will shall be obeyed.” 

“ You know Alsatia well?” continued his tutoress. 

“Well enough — well enough,” replied he with a nod; “I 
have heard the dice rattle there in my day, before I must set 
up for gentleman, and go among the gallants at the Shavaleer 
Bojo’s, as they call him — the worse rookery of the two, though 
the feathers are the gayest. ” 

“ And they will have a respect for thee yonder, I warrant?” 

“Ay — ay,” replied Yin; “when I am got into my fustian 
doublet again, with my bit of a trunnion under my arm, I can 
walk Alsatia at midnight as I could do that there Fleet Street 
in mid-day; they will not one of them swagger with the 
prince of ’prentices and the king of clubs : they know I could 
bring every tall boy in the ward down upon them.” 

“ And you know all the watermen, and so forth?” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


311 


“ Can converse with every sculler in his own language, from 
Richmond to Gravesend, and know all the water-cocks from 
J ohn Taylor, the poet, to little Grigg the Grinner, who never 
pulls but he shows all his teeth from ear to ear, as if he were 
grimacing through a horse-collar.” 

“ And you can take any dress or character upon you well, 
such as a waterman’s, a butcher’s, a foot-soldier’s,” continued 
Ursula, “or the like?” 

“Not such a mummer as I am within the walls, and thou 
knowest that well enough, dame,” replied the apprentice. “ I 
can touch the players themselves at the Bull and at the For- 
tune for presenting anything except a gentleman. Take but 
this d — d skin of frippery off me, which I think the devil 
stuck me into, and you shall put me into nothing else that I 
will not become as if I were born to it.” 

“Well, we will talk of your transmutation by and by,” said 
the dame, “ and find you clothes withal, and money besides ; 
for it will take a good deal to carry the thing handsomely 
through.” 

“ But where is that money to come from, dame?” said Jen- 
kin ; “ there is a question I would fain have answered before 
I touch it.” 

“ Why, what a fool art thou to ask such a question ! Sup- 
pose I am content to advance it to please young madam, what 
is the harm then?” 

“I will suppose no such thing,” said Jenkin, hastily; “I 
know that you, dame, have no gold to spare, and maybe would 
not spare it if you had ; so that cock will not crow. It must 
be from Margaret herself.” 

“ Well, thou suspicious animal, and what if it were?” said 
Ursula. 

“Only this,” replied Jenkin, “that I will presently to her, 
and learn if she has come fairly by so much ready money ; 
for sooner than connive at her getting it by any indirection, 
I would hang myself at once. It is enough what I have done 
myself, no need to engage poor Margaret in such villainy. I’ll 
to her, and tell her of the danger,— I will, by Heaven!” 

“ You are mad to think of it,” said Dame Suddlechop, con- 


312 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


siderably alarmed j hear me but a moment. I know not pre- 
cisely from whom she got the money j but sure I am that she 
obtained it at her godfather’s.” 

“ Why, Master George Heriot is not returned from France, ” 
said Jenkin. 

“No,” replied Ursula, “but Dame Judith is at homej and 
the strange lady, whom they call Master Heriot’ s ghost — she 
neyer goes abroad.” 

“ It is very true. Dame Suddlechop, ” said Jenkin ; “ and I 
believe you have guessed right : they say that lady has coin 
at will ; and if Marget can get a handful of fairy gold, why, 
she is free to throw it away at will.” 

“Ah, Jin Vin,” said the dame, reducing her voice almost 
to a whisper, “ we should not want gold at will neither, could 
we but read the riddle of that lady !” 

“They may read it that list,” said Jenkin; “I’ll never pry 
into what concerns me not. Master George Heriot is a worthy 
and brave citizen, and an honour to London, and has a right 
to manage his own household as he likes best. There was 
once a talk of rabbling him the fifth of November before the 
last, because they said he kept a nunnery in his house, like 
old Lady Foljambe; but Master George is well loved among 
the ’prentices, and we got so many brisk boys of us together 
as should have rabbled the rabble had they had but the heart 
to rise.” 

“Well, let that pass,” said Ursula; “and now, tell me how 
you will manage to be absent from shop a day or two, for you 
must think that this matter will not be ended sooner.” 

“Why, as to that, I can say nothing,” said Jenkin, “I have 
always served duly and truly ; I have no heart to play truant, 
and cheat my master of his time as well as his money.” 

“ Nay, but the point is to get back his money for him,” said 
Ursula, “v/hich he is not likely to see on other conditions. 
Could you not ask leave to go down to your uncle in Essex 
for two or three days? He may be ill, you know.” 

“ Why, if I must, I must,” said Jenkin, with a heavy sigh; 
“ but I will not be lightly caught treading these dark and 
crooked paths again.” 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


313 


Hush thee, then, ” said the dame, “ and get leave for this 
very evening ; and come back hither, and I will introduce you 
to another implement who must be employed in the matter. 
Stay, stay! the lad is mazed; you would not go into your 
master’s shop in that guise, surely? Your trunk is in the 
matted chamber with your ’prentice things; go and put them 
on as fast as you can.” 

‘‘I think I am bewitched,” said Jenkin, giving a glance 
towards his dress, “ or that these fool’s trappings have made 
as great an ass of me as of many I have seen wear them ; but 
let me once be rid of the harness, and if you catch me putting 
it on again, I will give you leave to sell me to a gipsy to carry 
pots, pans, and beggar’s bantlings all the rest of my life.” 

So saying, he retired to change his apparel. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

Chance will not do the work. Chance sends the breeze ; 

But if the pilot slumber at the helm, 

The very wind that wafts us towards the port 

May dash us on the shelves. The steersman’s part is vigilance, 

Blow it or rough or smooth. 

Old Play. 

We left Nigel, whose fortunes we are bound to trace by the 
engagement contracted in our title-page, sad and solitary in 
the mansion of Trapbois, the usurer, having just received a 
letter instead of a visit from his friend the Templar, stating 
reasons why he could not at that time come to see him in Ad- 
satia. So that it appeared his intercourse with the better and 
more respectable class of society was, for the present, entirely 
cut off. This was a melancholy, and, to a proud mind like 
that of Nigel, a degrading, reflection. 

He went to the window of his apartment, and found the 
street enveloped in one of those thick, dingy, yeUow-coloured 
fogs which often invest the lower part of London and West- 
minster. Amid the darkness, dense and palpable, were seen 
to wander like phantoms a reveller or two, whom the morning 


314 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


had surprised where the evening left them; and who now, 
with tottering steps, and by an instinct which intoxication 
could not wholly overcome, were groping the way to their 
own homes, to convert day into night, for the purpose of 
sleeping off the debauch which had turned night into day. 
Although it was broad day in the other parts of the city, it 
was scarce dawn yet in Alsatia; and none of the sounds of 
industry or occupation were there heard which had long be- 
fore aroused the slumberers in every other quarter. The 
prospect was too tiresome and disagreeable to detain Lord 
Glenvarloch at his station, so, turning from the window, he 
examined with more interest the furniture and appearance of 
the apartment which he tenanted. 

Much of it had been in its time rich and curious. There 
was a huge four-post bed, with as much carved oak about it 
as would have made the head of a man-of-war, and tapestry 
hangings ample enough to have been her sails. There was a 
huge mirror with a massy frame of gilt brass-work, which was 
of Venetian manufacture, and must have been worth a consid- 
erable sum before it received the tremendous crack which, 
traversing it from one corner to the other, bore the same 
proportion to the surface that the Nile bears to the map of 
Egypt. The chairs were of different forms and shapes : some 
had been carved, some gilded, some covered with damasked 
leather, some with embroidered work, but all were damaged 
and worm-eaten. There was a picture of Susanna and the 
Elders, over the chimney-piece, which might have been ac- 
counted a choice piece, had not the rats made free with the 
chaste fair one’s nose, and with the beard of one of her rev- 
erend admirers. 

In a word, all that Lord Glenvarloch saw seemed to have 
been articles carried off by appraisement or distress, or bought 
as pennyworths at some obscure broker’s, and huddled to- 
gether in the apartment, as in a sale-room, without regard to 
taste or congruity. 

The place appeared to Nigel to resemble the houses near 
the sea-coast, which are too often furnished with the spoils of 
wrecked vessels, as this was probably fitted up with the relics 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


315 


of ruined profligates. “ My own skiff is among the breakers, ” 
thought Lord Glenvarloch, “ though my wreck will add little 
to the profits of the spoiler.” 

He was chiefly interested in the state of the grate — a huge 
assemblage of rusted iron bars which stood in the chimney, 
unequally supported by three brazen feet, moulded into the 
form of lion’s claws, Avhile the fourth, which had been bent 
by an accident, seemed proudly uplifted as if to paw the 
ground; or as if the whole article had nourished the ambi- 
tious purpose of pacing forth into the middle of the apart- 
ment, and had one foot ready raised for the journey. A smile 
passed over Nigel’s face as this fantastic idea presented itself 
to his fancy. ‘‘I must stop its march, however,” he thought; 
“ for this morning is chill and raw enough to demand some 
fire. ” 

He called accordingly from the top of a large staircase, 
with a heavy oaken balustrade, which gave access to his own 
and other apartments, for the house was old and of consid- 
erable size ; but, receiving no answer to his repeated summons 
he was compelled to go in search of some one who might ac- 
commodate him with what he wanted. 

Nigel had, according to the fashion of the old world in 
Scotland, received an education which might, in most partic- 
ulars, be termed simple, hardy, and unostentatious; but he 
had, nevertheless, been accustomed to much personal defer- 
ence, and to the constant attendance and ministry of one or 
more domestics. This was the universal custom in Scotland, 
where wages were next to nothing, and where, indeed, a man 
of title or influence might have as many attendants as he 
pleased for the mere expense of food, clothes, and counte- 
nance. Nigel was therefore mortified and displeased when 
he found himself without notice or attendance ; and the more 
dissatisfied, because he Avas at the same time angry with him- 
self for suffering such a trifle to trouble him at all amongst 
matters of more deep concernment. “ There must surely be 
some servants in so large a house as this, ” said he, as he wan- 
dered over the place, through which he was conducted by a 
passage which branched off from the gallery. As he went on, 


316 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


he tried the entrance to several apartments, some of which he 
found were locked and others unfurnished, all apparently im- 
occupied; so that at length he returned to the staircase, and 
resolved to make his way down to the lower part of the house, 
where he supposed he must at least find the old gentleman and 
his ill-favoured daughter. With this purpose, he first made 
his entrance into a little low, dark parlour containing a well- 
worn leathern easy-chair, before which stood a pair of slip- 
pers, while on the left side rested a crutch-handled staff ; an 
oaken table stood before it, and supported a huge desk clamped 
with iron, and a massive pewter inkstand. Around the apart- 
ment were shelves, cabinets, and other places convenient for 
depositing papers. A sword, musketoon, and a pair of pis- 
tols hung over the chimney, in ostentatious display, as if to 
intimate that the proprietor would be prompt in the defence 
of his premises. 

^^This must be the usurer’s den,” thought Nigel; and he 
was about to call aloud, when the old man, awakened even by 
the slightest noise, for avarice seldom sleeps sound, soon was 
heard from the inner room, speaking in a voice of irritability, 
rendered more tremulous by his morning cough. 

“Ugh, ugh, ugh — who is there? I say — ugh, ugh — who is 
there? Why, Martha! — ugh, ugh — Martha Trapbois — here 
be thieves in the house, and they will not speak to me — why, 
Martha! — thieves, thieves — ugh, ugh, ugh!” 

Nigel endeavoured to explain, but the idea of thieves had 
taken possession of the old man’s pineal gland, and he kept 
coughing and screaming, and screaming and coughing, until 
the gracious Martha entered the apartment ; and, having first 
outscreamed her father, in order to convince him that there 
was no danger, and to assure him that the intruder was their 
new lodger, and having as often heard her sire ejaculate, 
“ Hold him fast — ugh, ugh — hold him fast till I come,” she at 
length succeeded in silencing his fears and his clamour, and 
then coldly and drily asked Lord Glenvarloch what he wanted 
in her father’s apartment. 

Her lodger had, in the mean time, leisure to contemplate her 
appearance, which did not by any means improve the idea he 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


317 


had formed of it by candlelight on the preceding evening. 
She was dressed in what was called a Queen Mary’s ruff and 
farthingale ; not the falling ruff with which the unfortunate 
Mary of Scotland is usually painted, but that which, with 
more than Spanish stiffness, surrounded the throat, and set off 
the morose head, of her fierce namesake of Smithfield mem- 
ory. This antiquated dress assorted well with the faded com- 
plexion, grey eyes, thin lips, and austere visage of the anti- 
quated maiden, which was, moreover, enhanced by a black 
hood, worn as her headgear, carefully disposed so as to pre- 
vent any of her hair from escaping to view, probably because 
the simplicity of the period knew no art of disguising the 
colour with which time had begun to grizzle her tresses. Her 
figure was tall, thin, and flat, with skinny arms and hands, 
and feet of the larger size, cased in huge high-heeled shoes, 
which added height to a stature already ungainly. Apparently 
some art had been used by the tailor to conceal a slight defect 
of shape, occasioned by the accidental elevation of one shoul- 
der above the other ; but the praiseworthy efforts of the in- 
genious mechanic had only succeeded in calling the attention 
of the observer to his benevolent purpose without demonstrat- 
ing that he had been able to achieve it. 

Such was Mrs. Martha Trapbois, whose dry “ What were 
you seeking here, sir?” fell again, and with reiterated sharp- 
ness, on the ear of Nigel, as he gazed upon her presence, and 
compared it internally to one of the faded and grim figures in 
the old tapestry which adorned his bedstead. It was, how- 
ever, necessary to reply, and he answered, that “He came 
in search of the servants, as he desired to have a fire kindled 
in his apartment on account of the rawness of the morning.” 

“ The woman who does our char-work, ” answered Mistress 
Martha, “comes at eight o’clock j if you want fire sooner, 
there are fagots and a bucket of sea-coal in the stone-closet at 
the head of the stair, and there is a flint and steel on the up- 
per shelf ; you can light fire for yourself if you will. ” 

“N’o — no — no, Martha,” ejaculated her father, who, having 
donned his rusty tunic, with his hose all ungirt, and his feet 
slip-shod, hastily came out of the inner apartment, with his 


318 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


mind probably full of robbers, for he had a naked rapier in 
his hand, which still looked formidable, though rust had 
somewhat marred its shine. What he had heard at entrance 
about lighting a fire had changed, however, the current of his 
ideas. “No — no — no,” he cried, and each negative was more 
emphatic than its predecessor. “The gentleman shall not 
have the trouble to put on a fire — ugh — ugh. I’ll put it on 
myself for a con-si-de-ra-ti-on. ” 

This last word was a favourite expression with the old gen- 
tleman, which he pronounced in a peculiar manner, gasping it 
out syllable by syllable, and laying a strong emphasis upon 
the last. It was, indeed, a sort of protecting clause, by which 
he guarded himself against all inconveniences attendant on 
the rash habit of offering service or civility of any kind, the 
which when hastily snapped at by those to whom they are 
uttered, give the profferer sometimes room to repent his 
promptitude. 

“For shame, father,” said Martha, “that must not be. 
Master Grahame will kindle his own fire, or wait till the 
charwoman comes to do it for him, just as likes him best.” 

“No, child — no, child. Child Martha, no,” reiterated the 
old miser; “no charwoman shall ever touch a grate in my 
house ; they put — ugh, ugh — the fagot uppermost, and so the 
coal kindles not, and the flame goes up the chimney, and wood 
and heat are both thrown away. Now, I will lay it properly 
for the gentleman, for a consideration, so that it shall last — 
ugh, ugh — last the whole day.” Here his vehemence in- 
creased his cough so violently, that Nigel could only, from a 
scattered word here and there, comprehend that it was a rec- 
ommendation to his daughter to remove the poker and tongs 
from the stranger’s fireside, with an assurance that, when 
necessary, his landlord would be in attendance to adjust it 
himself, “for a consideration.” 

Martha paid as little attention to the old man’s injimctions 
as a predominant dame gives to those of a henpecked husband. 
She only repeated, in a deeper and more emphatic tone of cen- 
sure, “For shame, father — for shame!” then, turning to her 
guest, said, with her usual ungraciousness of manner : “ Mas- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


319 


ter (Irahame, it is best to be plain with you at first. My 
father is an old, a very old man, and his wits, as you may 
see, are somewhat weakened — though I would not advise you 
to make a bargain with him, else you may find them too sharp 
for your own. For myself, I am a lone woman, and, to say 
truth, care little to see or converse with any one. If you can 
be satisfied with house-room, shelter, and safety, it will be 
your own fault if you have them not, and they are not always 
to be found in this unhappy quarter. But, if you seek defer- 
ential observance and attendance, I tell you at once you will 
not find them here.” 

‘‘ I am not wont either to thrust myself upon acquaintance, 
madam, or to give trouble, ” said the guest ; “ nevertheless, I 
shall need the assistance of a domestic to assist me to dress. 
Perhaps you can recommend me to such?” 

“Yes, to twenty,” answered Mistress Martha, “who will 
pick your purse while they tie your points, and cut your 
throat while they smooth your pillow.” 

“ I will be his servant myself, ” said the old man, whose 
intellect, for a moment distanced, had again, in some meas- 
ure, got up with the conversation. “ I will brush his cloak — 
ugh, ugh — and tie his points — ugh, ugh — and clean his shoes 
— ugh — and run on his errands with speed and safety — ugh, 
ugh, ugh, ugh — for a consideration.” 

“Good-morrow to you, sir,” said Martha to Nigel, in a 
tone of direct and positive dismissal. “ It cannot be agree- 
able to a daughter that a stranger should hear her father 
speak thus. If you be really a gentleman, you will retire to 
your own apartment.” 

“I will not delay a moment,” said Nigel, respectfully, for 
he was sensible that circumstances palliated the woman^s 
rudeness. “ I would but ask you, if seriously there can be 
danger in procuring the assistance of a serving-man in this 
place?” 

“ Young gentleman, ” said Martha, “ you must know little 
of Whitefriars to ask the question. We live alone in this 
house, and seldom has a stranger entered it ; nor should you, 
to be plain, had my will been consulted. Look at the door : 


320 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


see if that of a castle can be better secured; the windows of 
the first floor are grated on the outside, and within, look to 
these shutters.” 

She pulled one of them aside, and showed a ponderous ap- 
paratus of bolts and chains for securing the window -shutters, 
while her father, pressing to her side, seized her gown with a 
trembling hand, and said in a low whisper : “ Show not the 
trick of locking and undoing them. Show him not the trick 
on’t, Martha — ugh, ugh— on no consideration.” 

Martha went on, without paying him any attention : “ And 
yet, young gentleman, we have been more than once like to 
find all these defences too weak to protect our lives ; such an 
evil effect on the wicked generation around us hath been made 
by the unhappy report of my poor father’s wealth.” 

^‘Say nothing of that, housewife,” said the miser, his irri- 
tability increased by the very supposition of his being wealthy 
■ — say nothing of that, or I will beat thee, housewife — beat 
thee with my staff, for fetching and carrying lies that will 
procure our throats to be cut at last — ugh, ugh. I am but a 
poor man,” he continued, turning to Nigel — “a very poor 
man, that am willing to do any honest turn upon earth for a 
modest consideration. ” 

I therefore warn you of the life you must lead, young 
gentleman,” said Martha; “the poor woman who does the 
char-work will assist you so far as is in her power, but the 
wise man is his own best servant and assistant.” 

“ It is a lesson you have taught me, madam, and I thank 
you for it ; I will assuredly study it at leisure. ” 

“ You will do well,” said Martha; “ and as you seem thank- 
ful for advice, I, though I am no professed counsellor of oth- 
ers, will give you more. Make no intimacy with any one in 
Whitefriars ; borrow no money, on any score, especially from 
my father, for, dotard as he seems, he will make an ass of 
you. Last, and best of all, stay here not an instant longer 
than you can help it. Farewell, sir. ” 

“ A gnarled tree may bear good fruit, and a harsh nature 
may give good counsel,” thought the Lord of Glenvarloch, as 
he retreated to his own apartment, where the same reflection 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


321 


occurred to liiiu again and again, wliile, unable as yet to rec- 
oncile Mmself to the thoughts of becoming his own fire-maker, 
he walked up and down his bedroom, to warm himself by 
exercise. 

At length his meditations arranged themselves in the fol- 
lowing soliloquy — by which expression I beg leave to observe 
once for all, that I do not mean that Nigel literally said aloud 
with his bodily organs the words which follow in inverted 
commas, while pacing the room by himself, but that I myself 
choose to present to my dearest reader the picture of my 
hero’s mind, his reflections and resolutions, in the form of a 
speech rather than in that of a narrative. In other words, I 
have put his thoughts into language ; and this I conceive to 
be the purpose of the soliloquy upon the stage as well as in 
the closet, being at once the most natural, and perhaps the 
only, way of communicating to the spectator what is supposed 
to be passing in the bosom of the scenic personage. There 
are no such soliloquies in nature, it is true, but unless they 
were received as a conventional medium of communication be- 
twixt the poet and the audience, we should reduce dramatic 
authors to the recipe of Master Puff, who makes Lord Bur- 
leigh intimate a long train of political reasoning to the audi- 
ence by one comprehensive shake of his noddle. In narra- 
tive, no doubt, the writer has the alternative of telling that 
his personages thought so and so, inferred thus and thus, and 
arrived at such and such a conclusion ; but the soliloquy is a 
more concise and spirited mode of communicating the same 
information; and therefore thus communed, or thus might 
have communed, the Lord of Glenvarloch with his own mind ; 

“ She is right, and has taught me a lesson I will profit by. 
I have been, through my whole life, one who leant upon oth- 
ers for that assistance which it is more truly noble to derive 
from my own exertions. I am ashamed of feeling the paltry 
inconvenience which long habit had led me to annex to the 
want of a servant’s assistance — I am ashamed of that; but 
far, far more am I ashamed to have suffered the same habit 
of throwing my own burden on others to render me, since I 
came to this city, a mere victim of those events which I have 
21 


322 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


never even attempted to influence — a thing never acting, but 
perpetually acted upon — protected by one friend, deceived by 
another ; but in the advantage which I received from the one, 
and the evil I have sustained from the other, as passive and 
helpless as a boat that drifts without oar or rudder at the 
mercy of the winds and waves. I became a courtier, because 
Heriot so advised it; a gamester, because Dalgarno so con- 
trived it ; an Alsatian, because Lowestoffe so willed it. What- 
ever of good or bad has befallen me hath arisen out of the 
agency of others, not from my own. My father’s son must 
no longer hold this facile and puerile course. Live or die, 
sink or swim, Nigel Olifaunt, from this moment, shall owe 
his safety, success, and honour to his own exertions, or shall 
fall with the credit of having at least exerted his own free 
agency. I will write it down in my tablets, in her very 
words : ‘ The wise man is his own best assistant. ’ ” 

He had just put his tablets in his pocket, when the old 
charwoman, who, to add to her efficiency was sadly crippled 
by rheumatism, hobbled into the room, to try if she could 
gain a small gratification by waiting on the stranger. She 
readily undertook to get Lord Glenvarloch’s breakfast, and, 
as there was an eating-house at the next door, she succeeded 
in a shorter time than Nigel had augured. 

As his solitary meal was finished, one of the Temple por- 
ters, or inferior officers, was announced, as seeking Master 
Grahame, on the part of his friend, Master Lowestoffe; and, 
being admitted by the old woman to his apartment, he deliv- 
ered to Nigel a small mail-trunk, with the clothes he had de- 
sired should be sent to him, and then, with more mystery, put 
into his hand a casket, or strong-box, which he carefully con- 
cealed beneath his cloak. am glad to be rid on’t,” said 
the fellow, as he placed it on the table. 

^^Why, it is surely not so very heavy,” answered Nigel, 
‘^and you are a stout young man.” 

Ay, sir, ” replied the fellow ; but Sampson himself would 
not have carried such a matter safely through Alsatia, had 
the lads of the huff known what it was. Please to look into 
it, sir, and see all is right. I am an honest fellow, and it 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


323 


comes safe out of my hands. How long it may remain so 
afterwards, will depend on your own care. I would not my 
good name were to suffer by any after-clap.” 

To satisfy the scruples of the messenger, Lord Glenvarloch 
opened the casket in his presence, and saw that his small 
stock of money, with two or three valuable papers which it 
contained, and particularly the original sign-manual which 
the King had granted in his favour, were in the same order 
in which he had left them. At the man^s further instance, 
he availed himself of the writing-materials which were in the 
casket, in order to send a line to Master Lowestoffe, declaring 
that his property had reached him in safety. He added some 
grateful acknowledgments for Lowestoffe^ s services, and, just 
as he was sealing and delivering his billet to the messenger, 
his aged landlord entered the apartment. His threadbare suit 
of black clothes was now somewhat better arranged than they 
had been in the dishabille of his first appearance, and his nerves 
and intellects seemed to be less fluttered ; for, without much 
coughing or hesitation, he invited Nigel to partake of a morn- 
ing-draught of wholesome single ale, which he brought in a 
large leathern tankard, or black-jack, carried in the one hand, 
while the other stirred it round with a sprig of rosemary, to 
give it, as the old man said, a flavour. 

Nigel declined the courteous proffer, and intimated by his 
manner, while he did so, that he desired no intrusion on the 
privacy of his own apartment; which, indeed, he was the 
more entitled to maintain, considering the cold reception he 
had that morning met with when straying from its precincts 
into those of his landlord. But the open casket contained 
matter, or rather metal, so attractive to old Trapbois, that he 
remained fixed, like a setting-dog at a dead point, his nose 
advanced, and one hand expanded like the lifted forepaw, by 
which that sagacious quadruped sometimes indicates that it 
is a hare which he has in the wind. Nigel was about to 
break the charm which had thus arrested old Trapbois by 
shutting the lid of the casket, when his attention was with- 
drawn from him by the question of the messenger, who, holding 
out the letter, asked whether he was to leave it at Mr. 


324 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Lowestoffe’s chambers in the Temple or carry it to the Mar- 
shalsea. 

“ The Marshalsea!” ‘ repeated Lord Glenvarloch; “what of 
the Marshalsea?’’ 

“ Why, sir, ’’ said the man, “ the poor gentleman is laid up 
there in lavender, because, they say, his own kind heart led 
him to scald his fingers with another man’s broth.” 

Nigel hastily snatched back the letter, broke the seal, joined 
to the contents his earnest entreaty that he might be instantly 
acquainted with the cause of his confinement, and added that, 
if it arose out of his own unhappy affair, it would be of brief 
duration, since he had, even before hearing of a reason which 
so peremptorily demanded that he should surrender himself, 
adopted the resolution to do so, as the manliest and most 
proper course which his ill-fortune and imprudence had left 
in his own power. He therefore conjured Mr. Lowestoffe to 
have no delicacy upon this score, but, since his surrender was 
what he had determined upon as a sacrifice due to his own 
character, that he would have the frankness to mention in 
what manner it could be best arranged, so as to extricate him, 
Lowestoffe, from the restraint to which the writer could not 
but fear his friend had been subjected, on account of the gen- 
erous interest which he had taken in his concerns. The letter 
concluded, that the writer would suffer twenty-four hours to 
elapse in expectation of hearing from him, and, at the end of 
that period, was determined to put his purpose in execution. 
He delivered the billet to the messenger, and, enforcing his 
request with a piece of money, urged him, without a mo- 
ment’s delay, to convey it to the hands of Master Lowestoffe. 

“ I — I — I — will carry it to him myself, ” said the old usurer, 
“ for half the consideration.” 

The man, who heard this attempt to take his duty and per- 
quisites over his head, lost no time in pocketing the money, 
and departed on his errand as fast as he could. 

“Master Trapbois,” said Nigel, addressing the old man 
somewhat impatiently, “had you any particular commands 
for me?” 

* See Note 28. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


325 


I — I — came to see if you rested weU, ” answered the old 
man ; “ and — if I could do anything to serve you, on any con- 
sideration. ” 

“ Sir, I thank you, ” said Lord Glenvarloch — “ I thank you” ; 
and, ere he could say more, a heavy footstep was heard on 
the stair. 

“My God!” exclaimed the old man, starting up. “Why, 
Dorothy — charwoman — why, daughter — draw bolt, I say, 
housewives — the door hath been left a-latch!” 

The door of the chamber opened wide, and in strutted the 
portly bulk of the military hero whom Nigel had on the pre- 
ceding evening in vain endeavoured to recognise. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


Swashbuckler. Bilboe’s the word. 

Pierrot. It hath been spoke too often, 

The spell hath lost its charm. I tell thee, friend, 

The meanest cur that trots the street will turn. 

And snarl against your proffer’d bastinado. 

Swashbuckler. ’Tis art shall do it, then ; I will dose 
the mongrels. 

Or, in plain terms. I’ll use the private knife 
’Stead of the brandish’d falchion. 

Old Play. 

The noble Captain Colepepper, or Peppercull, for he was 
known by both these names, and some others besides, had a 
martial and a swashing exterior, which, on the present occa- 
sion, was rendered yet more peculiar by a patch covering his 
left eye and a part of the cheek. The sleeves of his thickset 
velvet jerkin were polished and shone with grease; his buff 
gloves had huge tops which reached almost to the elbow ; his 
sword-belt of the same materials extended its breadth from his 
haunch-bone to his small ribs, and supported on the one side 
his large black-hilted back-sword, on the other a dagger of 
like proportions. He paid his compliments to Nigel with 
that air of predetermined effrontery which announces that it 
will not be repelled by any coldness of reception, asked Trap- 


326 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


bois bow he did by the familiar title of old Peter Pillory, and 
then seizing upon the black-jack, emptied it off at a draught 
to the health of the last and youngest freeman of Alsatia, the 
noble and loving Master Nigel Grahame. 

When he had set down the empty pitcher and drawn his 
breath, he began to criticise the liquor which it had lately 
contained. “ Sufficient single beer, old Pillory, and, as I take 
it, brewed at the rate of a nutshell of malt to a butt of 
Thames — as dead as a corpse, too, and yet it went hissing 
down my throat — bubbling, by Jove, like water upon hot iron. 
You left us early, noble Master Grahame, but, good faith, we 
had a carouse to your honour : we heard hutt ring hollow ere 
we parted ; we were as loving as inkle-weavers ; we fought, 
too, to finish off the gawdy. I bear some marks of the parson 
about me, you see — a note of the sermon or so, which should 
have been addressed to my ear, but missed its mark and 
reached my left eye. The man of God bears my sign-manual 
too ; but the duke made us friends again, and it cost me more 
sack than I could carry, and all the Rhenish to boot, to pledge 
the seer in the way of love and reconciliation. But, caracco ! 
’tis a vile old canting slave for all that, whom I will one day 
beat out of his deviPs livery into all the colours of the rain- 
bow. Basta! Said I well, old Trapbois? Where is thy 
daughter, man? What says she to my suit? ’Tis an honest 
one. Wilt have a soldier for thy son-in-law, old Pillory, to 
mingle the soul of martial honour with thy thieving, miching, 
petty-larceny blood, as men put bold brandy into muddy ale?’^ 

^‘My daughter receives not company so early, noble cap- 
tain,” said the usurer, and concluded his speech with a dry, 
emphatical “ ugh — ugh. ” 

“ What, upon no con-si-de-ra-ti-on?” said the captain; 
“and wherefore not, old Truepenny? she has not much time 
to lose in driving her bargain, methinks.” 

“ Captain, ” said Trapbois, “ I was upon some little business 
with our noble friend here. Master Nigel Green — ugh, ugh, 
ugh ” 

“ And you would have me gone, 1 warrant you?” answered 
the buUy; “but patience, old Pillory, thine hour is not yet 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


327 


come, man. You see,” lie said, pointing to tlie casket, “that 
noble Master Grahame, whom you call Green, has got the 
‘decuses^ and the ^ smelts.^ ” 

“Which you would willingly rid him of — ha! ha! — ugh, 
ugh, ” answered the usurer, “ if you knew how ; but, lack-a- 
day ! thou art one of those that come out for wool and art sure 
to go home shorn. Why now, but that I am sworn against 
laying of wagers, I would risk some consideration that this 
honest guest of mine sends thee home penniless, if thou darest 
venture with him — ugh, ugh — at any game which gentlemen 
play at.” 

“ Marry, thou hast me on the hip there, thou old miserly 
cony-catcher!” answered the captain, taking a bale of dice 
from the sleeve of his coat. “ I must always keep company 
with these damnable doctors, and they have made me every 
baby cully, and purged my purse into an atrophy ; but never 
mind, it passes the time as well as aught else. How say you. 
Master Grahame?” 

The fellow paused j but even the extremity of his impudence 
could hardly withstand the cold look of utter contempt with 
which Nigel received his proposal, returning it with a simple, 
“ I only play where I know my company, and never in the 
morning.” 

“ Cards may be more agreeable, ” said Captain Colepepper ; 
“ and for knowing your company, here is honest old Pillory 
will tell you Jack Colepepper plays as truly on the square as 
e^er a man that trowled a die. Men talk of high and low dice, 
fulhams and bristles, topping, knapping, slurring, stabbing, 
and a hundred ways of rooking besides ; but broil me like a 
rasher of bacon, if I could ever learn the trick on ’em!” 

“You have got the vocabulary perfect, sir, at the least,” 
said Nigel, in the same cold tone. 

“ Yes, by mine honour have I,” returned the Hector; “ they 
are phrases that a gentleman learns about town. But perhaps 
you would like a set at tennis, or a game at balloon ; we have 
an indifferent good court hard by here, and a set of as gentle- 
man-like blades as ever banged leather against brick and 
mortar.” 


328 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ I beg to be excused at present, ” said Lord Glenvarloch ; 
“ and to be plain, among the valuable privileges your society 
has conferred on me, I hope I may reckon that of being pri- 
vate in my own apartment when I have a mind. ” 

‘‘ Your humble servant, sir, ” said the captain ; “ and I thank 
you for your civility. Jack Colepepper can have enough of 
company, and thrusts himself on no one. But perhaps you 
will like to make a match at skittles?” 

I am by no means that way disposed, ” replied the young 
nobleman. 

“ Or to leap a flea — run a snail — match a wherry, eh?” 

*‘No — I will do none of these,” answered Nigel. 

Here the old man, who had been watching with his little 
peery eyes, pulled the bulky Hector by the skirt, and whis- 
pered : ‘‘ Do not vapour him the huff, it will not pass j let the 
trout play, he will rise to the hook presently. ” 

But the bully, confiding in his own strength, and probably 
mistaking for timidity the patient scorn with which Nigel 
received his proposals, incited also by the open casket, began 
to assume a louder and more threatening tone. He drew him- 
self up, bent his brows, assumed a look of professional ferocity, 
and continued : ‘‘ In Alsatia, look ye, a man must be neighbourly 
and companionable. Zouns! sir, we would slit any nose 
that was turned up at us honest fellows. Ay, sir, we would 
slit it up to the gristle, though it had smelt nothing all 
its life but musk, ambergris, and court-scented water. Rab- 
bit me, I am a soldier, and care no more for a lord than a 
lamplighter !” 

“Are you seeking a quarrel, sir?” said Nigel, calmly, hav- 
ing in truth no desire to engage himself in a discreditable broil 
in such a place, and with such a character. 

“ Quarrel, sir!” said the captain ; “ I am not seeking a quar- 
rel, though I care not how soon I find one. Only I wish you 
to understand you must be neighbourly, that’s all. What if 
we should go over the water to the garden, and see a bull 
hanked this fine morning — ’sdeath, will you do nothing?” 

“ Something I am strangely tempted to do at this moment,” 
said Nigel. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


329 


^‘Videlicet/’ said Colepepper, with a swaggering air, “let 
us hear the temptation.^’ 

“ I am tempted to throw you headlong from the window, 
unless you presently make the best of your way down- 
stairs. ” 

“ Throw me from the window !-^hell and furies !” exclaimed 
the captain. “ I have confronted twenty crooked sabres at 
Buda with my single rapier, and shall a chitty-faced, beggarly 
Scots lordling speak of me and a window in the same breath? 
Stand off, old Pillory, let me make Scotch coUops of him : he 
dies the death!” 

“ For the love of Heaven, gentlemen, ” exclaimed the old 
miser, throwing himself between them, “do not break the 
peace on any consideration! Noble guest, forbear the cap- 
tain; he is a very Hector of Troy. Trusty Hector, forbear 
my guest ; he is like to prove a very Achilles — ugh — ugh ” 

Here he was interrupted by his asthma, but, nevertheless, 
continued to interpose his person between Colepepper, who 
had unsheathed his whinyard, and was making vain passes at 
his antagonist, and Nigel, who had stepped back to take his 
sword, and now held it undrawn in his left hand. 

“Make an end of this foolery, you scoundrel!” said Nigel. 
“ Do you come hither to vent your noisy oaths and your bottled- 
up valour on me. You seem to know me, and I am half 
ashamed to say I have at length been able to recollect you; 
remember the garden behind the ordinary, you dastardly ruf- 
fian, and the speed with which fifty men saw you run from a 
drawn sword. Get you gone, sir, and do not put me to the 
vile labour of cudgelling such a cowardly rascal downstairs.” 

The bully’s countenance grew dark as night at this unex- 
pected recognition; for he had undoubtedly thought himself 
secure in his change of dress and his black patch from being 
discovered by a person who had seen him but once. He set 
his teeth, clenched his hands, and it seemed as if he. was seek- 
ing for a moment’s courage to fly upon his antagonist. But 
his heart failed, he sheathed his sword, turned his back in 
gloomy silence, and spoke not until he reached the door, when, 
turning round, he said, with a deep oath : “ If I be not avenged 


330 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


of you for this insolence ere many days go by, I would the gal- 
lows had my body and the devil my spirit!” 

So saying, and with a look where determined spite and mal- 
ice made his features savagely fierce, though they could not 
overcome his fear, he turned and left the house. Nigel fol- 
lowed him as far as the gallery at the head of the staircase, 
with the purpose of seeing him depart, and ere he returned 
was met by Mistress Martha Trapbois, whom the noise of the 
quarrel had summoned from her own apartment. He could 
not resist saying to her in his natural displeasure : I would, 
madam, you could teach your father and his friends the lesson 
which you had the goodness to bestow on me this morning, and 
prevail on them to leave me the unmolested privacy of my own 
apartment.” 

If you came hither for quiet or retirement, young man, ” 
answered she, “you have been advised to an evil retreat. 
You might seek mercy in the Star Chamber, or holiness in 
hell, with better success than quiet in Alsatia. But my fa- 
ther shall trouble you no longer.” 

So saying, she entered the apartment, and, fixing her eyes 
on the casket, she said with emphasis : “ If you display such 
a loadstone, it will draw many a steel knife to your throat. ” 

While Nigel hastily shut the casket, she addressed her 
father, upbraiding him, with small reverence, for keeping com- 
pany with the cowardly, hectoring, murdering villain, John 
Colepepper. 

“ Ay — ay, child, ” said the old man, with the cunning leer 
which intimated perfect satisfaction with his own superior 
address, “ I know — I know — ugh — but 1^11 cross-bite him. I 
know them all, and I can manage them ; ay, ay — I have the 
trick on’t — ugh — ugh.” 

“ You manage, father!” said the austere damsel; “you 
will manage to have your throat cut, and that ere long. You 
cannot hide from them your gains and your gold as formerly.” 

“My gains, wench! my gold!” said the usurer; “alack-a- 
day, few of these and hard got — few and hard got.” 

“This wiU not serve you, father, any longer,” said she, 
“ and had not served you thus long, but that Bully Colepepper 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


331 


had contrived a cheaper way of plundering your house, even 
by means of my miserable self. But why do I speak to him 
of all this?” she said, checking herself, and shrugging her 
shoulders with an expression of pity which did not fall much 
short of scorn. He hears me not — he thinks not of me. Is 
it not strange that the love of gathering gold should survive 
the care to preserve both property and life?” 

“Your father,” said Lord Glenvarloch, who could not help 
respecting the strong sense and feeling shown by this poor 
woman, even amidst all her rudeness and severity — “your 
father seems to have his faculties sufficiently alert when he 
is in the exercise of his ordinary pursuits and functions. I 
wonder he is not sensible of the weight of your arguments.” 

“ Nature made him a man senseless of danger, and that in- 
sensibility is the best thing I have derived from him, ” said 
she. “ Age has left him shrewdness enough to tread his old 
beaten paths, but not to seek new courses. The old blind 
horse will long continue to go its rounds in the mill, when it 
would stumble in the open meadow.” 

“Daughter! — why, wench — why, housewife!” said. the old 
man, awakening out of some dream, in which he had been 
sneering and chuckling in imagination, probably over a suc- 
cessful piece of roguery — “go to chamber, wench — go to 
chamber — draw bolts and chain — look sharp to door — let none 
in or out but worshipful Master Grahame. I must take my 
cloak, and go to Duke Hildebrod — ay, ay, time has been, my 
own warrant was enough ; but the lower we lie, the more are 
we under the wind.” 

And, with his wonted chorus of muttering and coughing, the 
old man left the apartment. His daughter stood for a moment 
looking after him, with her usual expression of discontent and 
sorrow. 

“ You ought to persuade your father,” said Nigel, “to leave 
this evil neighbourhood, if you are in reality apprehensive 
for his safety.” 

“ He would be safe in no other quarter, ” said the daughter ; 
“ I would rather the old man were dead than publicly dishon- 
oured. In other quarters he would be pelted and pursued. 


332 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


like an owl which ventures into sunshine. Here he was 
safe, while his comrades could avail themselves of his talents ; 
he is now squeezed and fleeced by them on every pretence. 
They consider him as a vessel on the strand, from which each 
may snatch a prey ; and the very jealousy which they entertain 
respecting him as a common property may perhaps induce 
them to guard him from more private and daring assaults.” 

“ Still, methinks, you ought to leave this place, ” answered 
Nigel, “ since you might find a safe retreat in some distant 
country. ” 

“ In Scotland, doubtless, ” said she, looking at him with a 
sharp and suspicious eye, “ and enrich strangers with our 
rescued wealth. Ha! young man?” 

“ Madam, if you knew me, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ you 
would spare the suspicion implied in your words.” 

“Who shall assure me of that?” said Martha, sharply. 
“ They say you are a brawler and a gamester, and I know how 
far these are to be trusted by the unhappy.” 

“They do me wrong, by Heaven!” said Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ It may be so, ” said Martha ; “ I am little interested in the 
degree of your vice or your folly ; but it is plain that the one or 
the other has conducted you hither, and that your best hope of 
peace, safety, and happiness is to be gone, with the least pos- 
sible delay, from a place which is always a sty for swine, and 
often a shambles.” So saying, she left the apartment. 

There was something in the ungracious manner of this fe- 
male amounting almost to contempt of him she spoke to — an 
indignity to which Glenvarloch, notwithstanding his poverty, 
had not as yet been personally exposed, and which, therefore, 
gave him a transitory feeling of painful surprise. Neither did 
the dark hints which Martha threw out concerning the danger 
of his place of refuge sound by any means agreeably to his 
ears. The bravest man, placed in a situation in which he 
is surrounded by suspicious persons, and removed from all 
counsel and assistance except those afforded by a valiant heart 
and a strong arm, experiences a sinking of the spirit, a con- 
sciousness of abandonment, which for a moment chills his 
blood and depresses his natural gallantry of disposition. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


333 


But, if sad reflections arose in NigeUs mind, he had not time 
to indulge them ; and, if he saw little prospect of finding friends 
in Alsatia, he found that he was not likely to be solitary for 
lack of visitors. 

He had scarcely paced his apartment for ten minutes, en- 
deavouring to arrange his ideas on the course which he was to 
pursue on quitting Alsatia, when he was interrupted by the 
sovereign of the quarter, the great Duke Hildebrod himself, 
before whose approach the bolts and chains of the miser’s 
dwelling fell, or withdrew, as of their own accord ; and both 
the folding leaves of the door were opened, that he might roll 
himself into the house like a huge butt of liquor, a vessel to 
which he bore a considerable outward resemblance, both in 
size, shape, complexion, and contents. 

Good-morrow to your lordship,” said the greasy puncheon, 
cocking his single eye, and rolling it upon Nigel with a sin- 
gular expression of familiar impudence j whilst his grim bull- 
dog, which was close at his heels, made a kind of gurgling in 
his throat, as if saluting, in similar fashion, a starved cat, the 
only living thing in Trapbois’s house which we have not yet 
enumerated, and which had flown up to the top of the tester, 
where she stood clutching and grinning at the mastiff, whose 
greeting she accepted with as much good-will as Nigel be- 
stowed on that of the dog’s master. 

“Peace, Belzie! — d — n thee, peace!” said Duke Hilde- 
brod. “ Beasts and fools will be meddling, my lord. ” 

“I thought, sir,” answered Nigel, with as much haughtiness 
as was consistent with the cool distance which he desired to 
preserve — “ I thought I had told you my name at present was 
Nigel Grahame.” 

His eminence of Whitefriars on this burst out into a loud, 
chuckling, impudent laugh, repeating the word till his voice 
was almost inarticulate, “Niggle Green — Niggle Green — Nig- 
gle Green! Why, my lord, you would be queered in the 
drinking of a penny pot of Malmsey, if you cry before you are 
touched. Why, you have told me the secret even now, had I 
not had a shrewd guess of it before. Why, Master Nigel, 
since that is the word, I only called you ‘my lord’ because we 


334 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


made you a peer of Alsatia last night, when the sack was pre- 
dominant. How you look now! Ha! ha! ha!” 

Nigel, indeed, conscious that he had unnecessarily betrayed 
himself, replied hastily, He was much obliged to him for the 
honours conferred, but did not propose to remain in the sanc- 
tuary long enough to enjoy them.” 

“ Why, that may be as you will, an you will walk by wise 
counsel,” answered the ducal porpoise; and, although Nigel 
remained standing, in hopes to accelerate his guest’s depar- 
ture, he threw himself into one of the old tapestry-backed 
easy-chairs, which cracked under his weight, and began to 
call for old Trapbois. 

The crone of all work appearing instead of her master, the 
duke cursed her for a careless jade, to let a strange gentleman, 
and a brave guest, go without his morning’s draught. 

“ I never take one, sir, ” said Glenvarloch. 

“Time to begin — time to begin,” answered the duke. 
“ Here, you old refuse of Sathan, go to our palace and fetch 
Lord Green’s morning -draught. Let us see — what shall it 
be, my lord? — a humming double pot of ale, with a roasted 
crab dancing in it like a wherry above bridge? or, hum — ay, 
young men are sweet-toothed — a quart of burnt sack, with 
sugar and spice? — good against the fogs. Or, what say you 
to sipping a gill of right distilled waters? Come, we will 
have them all, and you shall take your choice. Here, you 
J ezebel, let Tim send the ale, and the sack, and the nipperkin 
of double-distilled, with a bit of diet-loaf, or some such trinket, 
and score it to the newcomer.” 

Glenvarloch, bethinking himself that it might be as well 
to endure this fellow’s insolence for a brief season as to get 
into farther discreditable quarrels, suffered him to take his 
own way, without interruption, only observing : “ You make 
yourself at home, sir, in my apartment; but, for the time, 
you may use your pleasure. Meanwhile, I would fain know 
what has procured me the honour of this unexpected visit?” 

“ You shall know that when old Deb has brought the liquor; 
I never speak of business dry-lipped. Why, how she drumbles ; 
I warrant she stops to take a sip on the road, and then you will 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


335 


think you have had unchristian measure. In the mean while, 
look at that dog there — look Belzebub in the face, and tell me 
if you ever saw a sweeter beast — never flew but at head in 
his life.” 

And, after this congenial panegyric, he was proceeding with 
a tale of a dog and a bull, which threatened to be somewhat 
of the longest, when he was interrupted by the return of the 
old crone, and two of his own tapsters, bearing the various 
kinds of drinkables which he had demanded, and which prob- 
ably was the only species of interruption he would have 
endured with equanimity. 

When the cups and cans were duly arranged upon the table, 
and when Deborah, whom the ducal generosity honoured with 
a penny farthing in the way of gratuity, had withdrawn with 
her satellites, the worthy potentate, having first slightly 
invited Lord Glenvarloch to partake of the liquor which he 
was to pay for, and after having observed that, excepting 
three poached eggs, a pint of bastard, and a cup of clary, he 
was fasting from everything but sin, set himself seriously to 
reinforce the radical moisture. Glenvarloch had seen Scottish 
lairds and Dutch burgomasters at their potations ; but their 
exploits, though each might be termed a thirsty generation, 
were nothing to those of Duke Hildebrod, who seemed an 
absolute sandbed, capable of absorbing any given quantity of 
liquid, without being either vivified or overflowed. He drank 
off the ale to quench a thirst which, as he said, kept him in a 
fever from morning to night, and night to morning; tippled 
off the sack to correct the crudity of the ale ; sent the spirits 
after the sack to keep all quiet, and then declared that, prob- 
ably, he should not taste liquor till post meridiem^ unless it 
was in compliment to some especial friend. Finally, he inti- 
mated that he was ready to proceed on the business which 
brought him from home so early, a proposition which Nigel 
readily received, though he could not help suspecting that the 
most important purpose of Duke Hildebrod' s visit was already 
transacted. 

In this, however. Lord Glenvarloch proved to be mistaken. 
Hildebrod, before opening what he had to say, made an 


336 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


accurate survey of the apartment, laying, from time to 
time, his finger on his nose, and winking on Nigel with his 
single eye, while he opened and shut the doors, lifted the 
tapestry, which concealed, in one or two places, the dilapida- 
tion of time upon the wainscoted walls, peeped into closets, 
and, finally, looked under the bed, to assure himself that the 
coast was clear of listeners and interlopers. He then resumed 
his seat, and beckoned confidentially to Nigel to draw his chair 
close to him. 

I am well as I am. Master Hildebrod, ” replied the young 
lord, little disposed to encourage the familiarity which the 
man endeavoured to fix on himj but the undismayed duke 
proceeded as follows : 

You shall pardon me, my lord — and I now give you the 
title right seriously — if I remind you that our waters may be 
watched ; for though old Trapbois be as deaf as St. Paul’s, 
yet his daughter has sharp ears, and sharp eyes enough, and 
it is of them that it is my business to speak.” 

“Say away, then, sir,” said Nigel, edging his chair some- 
what closer to the quicksand, “although I cannot conceive 
what business I have either with mine host or his daughter.” 

“We will see that in the twinkling of a quart-pot,” answered 
the gracious duke ; “ and first, my lord, you must not think to 
dance in a net before old Jack Hildebrod, that has thrice your 
years o’er his head, and was born, like King Richard, with 
all his eye-teeth ready cut. ” 

“Well, sir, go on,” said Nigel. 

“ Why, then, my lord, I presume to say that, if you are, as 
T believe you are, that Lord Glenvarloch whom all the world 
talk of — the Scotch gallant that has spent all, to a thin cloak 
and a light purse — be not moved, my lord, it is so noised of 
you — men call you the sparrow-hawk, who will fiy at all — ay, 
were it in the very Park. Be not moved, my lord.” 

“I am ashamed, sirrah,” replied Glenvarloch, “that you 
should have power to move me by your insolence; but beware 
— and, if you indeed guess who I am, consider how long I 
may be able to endure your tone of insolent familiarity.” 

“ I crave pardon, my lord, ” said Hildebrod, with a sullen 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


337 


yet apologetic look ; I meant no harm in speaking my poor 
mind. I know not what honour there may be in being famil- 
iar with your lordship, but I judge there is little safety, for 
Lowestoffe is laid up in lavender only for having shown you 
the way into Alsatiaj and so, what is to come of those who 
maintain you when you are here, or whether they will get 
most honour or most trouble by doing so, I leave with your 
lordship’s better judgment.” 

I will bring no one into trouble on my account, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch. “I will leave Whitefriars to-morrow. 5^ay, 
by Heaven, I will leave it this day.” 

You will have more wit in your anger, I trust,” said Duke 
Hildebrod ; “ listen first to what I have to say to you, and, if 
honest Jack Hildebrod puts you not in the way of nicking 
them all, may he never cast doublets or gull a greenhorn 
again ! And so, my lord, in plain words, you must wap and 
win.” 

“ Your words must be still plainer before I can understand 
them,” said Nigel. 

“What the devil — a gamester, one who deals with the 
devil’s bones and the doctors, and not understand pedlar’s 
French! Nay, then, I must speak plain English, and that’s 
the simpleton’s tongue.” 

“Speak, then, sir,” said Nigel; “and I pray you be brief, 
for I have little more time to bestow on you.” 

“ Well, then, my lord, to be brief, as you and the lawyers 
call it — I understand you have an estate in the North, which 
changes masters for want of the redeeming ready. Ay, you 
start, but you cannot dance in a net before me, as I said be- 
fore; and so the King runs the frowning humour on you, and 
the court vapours you the go-by, and the Prince scowls at you 
from under his cap, and the favourite serves you out the 
puckered brow and the cold shoulder, and the favourite’s fa- 
vourite ” 

“To go no further, sir,” interrupted Nigel, “suppose all 
this true, and what follows?” 

“What follows?” returned Duke Hildebrod. “Marry, this 
follows, that you will owe good deed, as well as good will, to 
22 


338 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


him who shall put you in the way to walk with your beaver 
cocked in the presence, as an ye were Earl of Kildare, bully 
the courtiers, meet the Prince’s blighting look with a bold 

brow, confront the favourite, baffle his deputy, and ” 

‘‘ This is all weU, ” said Nigel ; ‘‘ but how it is to be accom- 
plished!” 

By making thee a prince of Peru, my lord of the northern 
latitudes — propping thine old castle with ingots — fertilising 
thy failing fortunes with gold dust ; it shall but cost thee to 
put thy baron’s coronet for a day or so on the brows of an old 
Caduca here, the man’s daughter of the house, and thou art 
master of a mass of treasure that shall do all I have said for 
thee, and ” 

What, you would have me marry this old gentlewoman 
tiere, the daughter of mine host?” said Nigel, surprised and 
\ngry, yet unable to suppress some desire to laugh. 

Nay, my lord, I would have you marry fifty thousand good 
sterling pounds, for that, and better, hath old Trapbois 
hoarded ; and thou shalt do a deed of mercy in it to the old 
man, who will lose his golden smelts in some worse way, for 
now that he is wellnigh past his day of work, his day of 
payment is like to follow.” 

Truly, this is a most courteous offer, ” said Lord Glenvar- 
loch ; “ but may I pray of your candour, most noble duke, to 
tell me why you dispose of a ward of so much wealth on a 
stranger like me, who may leave you to-morrow?” 

“ In sooth, my lord, ” said the duke, “ that question smacks 
more of the wit of Beaujeu’s ordinary than any word I have 
yet heard your lordship speak, and reason it is you should be 
answered. Touching my peers, it is but necessary to say, that 
Mistress Martha Trapbois will none of them, whether clerical 
on laic. The captain hath asked her, so hath the parson, but 
she will none of them : she looks higher than either, and is, to 
say truth, a woman of sense, and so forth, too profound, and 
of spirit something too high, to put up with greasy buff or 
rusty prunella. For ourselves, we need but hint that we have 
a consort in the land of the living, and, what is more to pur- 
pose, Mrs. Martha knows it. So, as she will not lace her 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


339 


kersey hood save with a quality binding, you, my lord, must 
be the man, and must carry off fifty thousand decuses, the 
spoils of five thousand bullies, cutters, and spendthrifts, 
always deducting from the main sum some five thousand 
pounds for our princely advice and countenance, without 
which, as matters stand in Alsatia, you would find it hard to 
win the plate.” 

^‘But has your wisdom considered, sir,” replied Glenvar- 
loch, “how this wedlock can serve me in my present emer- 
gence?” 

“As for that, my lord,” said Duke Hildebrod, “if, with 
forty or fifty thousand pounds in your pouch, you cannot 
save yourself, you will deserve to lose your head for your 
folly, and your hand for being close-fisted. ” 

“ But, since your goodness has taken my matters into such 
serious consideration,” continued Nigel, who conceived there 
was no prudence in breaking with a man who, in his way, 
meant him favour rather than offence, “ perhaps you may be 
able to tell me how my kindred will be likely to receive such 
a bride as you recommend to me?” 

“ Touching that matter, my lord, I have always heard your 
countrymen knew as well as other folk on which side their 
bread was buttered. And, truly, speaking from report, I 
know no place where fifty thousand pounds — fifty thousand 
pounds, I say — will make a woman more welcome than it is 
likely to do in your ancient kingdom. And, truly, saving the 
slight twist in her shoulder, Mrs. Martha Trapbois is a person 
of very awful and majestic appearance, and may, for aught I 
know, be come of better blood than any one wots of ; for old 
Trapbois looks not over like to be her father, and her mother 
was a generous, liberal sort of a woman.” 

“I am afraid,” answered Nigel, “that chance is rather too 
vague to assure her a gracious reception into an honourable 
house.” 

“ Why, then, my lord, ” replied Hildebrod, “ I think it like 
she will be even with them ; for I will venture to say, she 
has as much ill-nature as will make her a match for your 
whole clan.” 


340 


WAVERLEY KOVELS. 


“That may inconvenience me a little/’ replied Kigel. 

“ Not a whit — not a whit, ” said the duke, fertile in expe- 
dients ; “ if she should become rather intolerable, which is not 
unlikely, your honourable house, which I presume to be a 
castle, hath, doubtless, both turrets and dungeons, and ye 
may bestow your bonny bride in either the one or the other, 
and then you know you will be out of hearing of her tongue, 
and she will be either above or below the contempt of your 
friends.” 

“It is sagely counselled, most equitable sir,” replied Nigel, 
“ and such restraint would be a fit meed for her folly that gave 
me any power over her.” 

“You entertain the project then, my lord?” said Duke 
Hildebrod. 

“ I must turn it in my mind for twenty -four hours, ” said 
Nigel ; “ and I will pray you so to order matters that I be not 
further interrupted by any visitors.” 

“We will utter an edict to secure your privacy,” said the 
duke ; “ and you do not think, ” he added, lowering his voice 
to a confidential whisper, “ that ten thousand is too much to 
pay to the sovereign in name of wardship?” 

“Ten thousand!” said Lord Glenvarloch; “why, you said 
five thousand but now.” 

“Aha! art avised of that?” said the duke, touching the 
side of his nose with his finger ; “ nay, if you have marked 
me so closely, you are thinking on the case more nearly than 
I believed till you trapped me. Well — well, we will not quar- 
rel about the consideration, as old Trapbois would call it; 
do you win and wear the dame ; it will be no hard matter with 
your face and figure, and I will take care that no one inter- 
rupts you. I will have an edict from the senate as soon as 
they meet for their meridiem.” 

So saying, Duke Hildebrod took his leave. 


THE rORTUHES OF NIGEL. 


341 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

This is the time. Heaven’s maiden sentinel 
Hath quitted her high watch, the lesser spangles 
Are paling one by one give me the ladder 
And the short lever ; bid Anthony 
Keep with his carabine the wicket-gate ; 

And do thou bear thy knife and follow me, 

For we will in and do it. Darkness like this 
Is dawning of our fortunes. 

Old Play. 

When Duke Hildebrod had withdrawn, NigeFs first impulse 
was an irresistible feeling to laugh at the sage adviser, who 
would have thus connected him with age, ugliness, and ill- 
temper j but his next thought was pity for the unfortunate 
father and daughter, who, being the only persons possessed of 
wealth in this unhappy district, seemed like a wreck on the 
sea-shore of a barbarous country, only secured from plunder 
for the moment by the jealousy of the tribes among whom it 
had been cast. Neither could he help being conscious that 
his own residence here was upon conditions equally precarious, 
and that he was considered by the Alsatians in the same light 
of a godsend on the Cornish coast, or a sickly but wealthy 
caravan travelling through the wilds of Africa, and emphati- 
cally termed by the nations of despoilers through whose re- 
gions it passes dummalafong^ which signifies a thing given to 
be devoured — a common prey to all men. 

Nigel had already formed his own plan to extricate himself, 
at whatever risk, from his perilous and degrading situation ; 
and, in order that he might carry it into instant execution, he 
only awaited the return of Lowestofie’s messenger. He ex- 
pected him, however, in vain, and could only amuse himself 
by looking through such parts of his baggage as had been sent 
to him from his former lodgings, in order to select a small 
packet of the most necessary articles to take with him, in the 
event of his quitting his lodgings secretly and suddenly, as 
speed and privacy would, he foresaw, be particularly neces- 
sary, if he meant to obtain an interview with the King, which 


342 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


was the course his spirit and his interest alike determined 
him to pursue. 

While he was thus engaged, he found, greatly to his satis- 
faction, that Master Lowestoffe had transmitted not only his 
rapier and poniard, but a pair of pistols, which he had used 
in travelling, of a smaller and more convenient size than the 
large petronels, or horse pistols, which were then in common 
use, as being made for wearing at the girdle or in the pockets. 
Next to having stout and friendly comrades, a man is chiefly 
emboldened by finding himself well armed in case of need, and 
Nigel, who had thought with some anxiety on the hazard of 
trusting his life, if attacked, to the protection of the clumsy 
weapon with which Lowestoffe had equipped him, in order to 
complete his disguise, felt an emotion of confidence approach- 
ing to triumph as, drawing his own good and well-tried rapier, 
he wiped it with his handkerchief, examined its point, bent it 
once or twice against the ground to prove its well-known metal, 
and finally replaced it in the scabbard, the more hastily, that 
he heard a tap at the door of his chamber, and had no mind 
to be found vapouring in the apartment with his sword drawn. 

It was his old host who entered, to tell him with many 
cringes that the price of his apartment was to be a crown per 
diem ; and that, according to the custom of Whitefriars, the 
rent was always payable per advance, although he never 
scrupled to let the money lie till a week or fortnight, or even 
a month, in the hands of any honourable guest like Master 
Grahame, always upon some reasonable consideration for the 
use. Nigel got rid of the old dotard’s intrusion by throwing 
down two pieces of gold, and requesting the accommodation of 
his present apartment for eight days, adding, however, he 
did not think he should tarry so long. 

The miser, with a sparkling eye and a trembling hand, 
clutched fast the proffered coin, and, having balanced the 
pieces with exquisite pleasure on the extremity of his with- 
ered finger, began almost instantly to show that not even the 
possession of gold can gratify for more than an instant the 
very heart that is most eager in the pursuit of it. First, the 
pieces might be light ; with hasty hand he drew a small pair 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


343 


of scales from his bosom and weighed them, first together, 
then separately, and smiled with glee as he saw them attain 
the due depression in the balance — a circumstance which 
might add to his profits, if it were true, as was currently 
reported, that little of the gold coinage was current in Alsatia 
in a perfect state, and that none ever left the sanctuary in that 
condition. 

Another fear then occurred to trouble the old miser ^s pleas- 
ure. He had been just able to comprehend that Nigel in- 
tended to leave the Friars sooner than the arrival of the term 
for which he had deposited the rent. This might imply an 
expectation of refunding, which, as a Scotch wag said, of all 
species of funding, jumped least with the old gentleman’s 
humour. He was beginning to enter a hypothetical caveat on 
this subject, and to quote several reasons why no part of the 
money once consigned as room-rent could be repaid back on 
any pretence, without great hardship to the landlord, when 
Nigel, growing impatient, told him that the money was his 
absolutely, and without any intention on his part of resuming 
any of it; all he asked in return was the liberty of enjoying 
in private the apartment he had paid for. Old Trapbois, who 
had still at his tongue’s end much of the smooth language by 
which, in his time, he had hastened the ruin of many a young 
spendthrift, began to launch out upon the noble and generous 
disposition of his new guest, until Nigel, growing impatient, 
took the old gentleman by the hand, and gently, yet irresistibly, 
leading him to the door of his chamber, put him out, but with 
such a decent and moderate exertion of his superior strength 
as to render the action in no shape indecorous, and, fastening 
the door, began to do that for his pistols which he had done 
for his favourite sword, examining with care the fiints and 
locks, and reviewing the state of his small provision of am- 
munition. 

In this operation he was a second time interrupted by a 
knocking at his door ; he called upon the person to enter, 
having no doubt that it was Lowestoffe’s messenger at length 
arrived. It was, however, the ungracious daughter of old 
Trapbois, who, muttering something about her father’s mis- 


344 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


take, laid down upon the table one of the pieces of gold which 
Nigel had just given to him, saying, that what she retained 
was the full rent for the term he had specified. Nigel re- 
plied, he had paid the money, and had no desire to receive 
it again. 

“ Do as you will with it, then, ” replied his hostess, “ for 
there it lies, and shall lie for me. If you are fool enough to 
pay more than is reason, my father shall not be knave enough 
to take it.” 

“ But your father, mistress,” said Nigel — “your father told 


“Oh, my father — my father,” said she, interrupting him — 
“ my father managed these affairs while he was able ; I manage 
them now, and that may in the long run be as well for both 
of us.” 

She then looked on the table, and observed the weapons. 

“You have arms, I see,” she said; “do you know how to 
use them?” 

“I should do so, mistress,” replied Nigel, “for it has been 
my occupation.” 

“ You are a soldier, then?” she demanded. 

“No farther as yet than as every gentleman of my country 
is a soldier.” 

“ Ay, that is your point of honour — to cut the throats of the 
poor — a proper gentlemanlike occupation for those who should 
protect them!” 

“I do not deal in cutting throats, mistress,” replied Nigel; 
“ but I carry arms to defend myself, and my country if it 
needs me.” 

“ Ay, ” replied Martha, “ it is fairly worded ; but men say 
you are as prompt as others in petty brawls, where neither 
your safety nor your country is in hazard ; and that had it 
not been so you would not have been in the sanctuary to-day. ” 

“Mistress,” returned Nigel, “I should labour in vain to 
make you understand that a man’s honour, which is, or 
should be, dearer to him than his life, may often call on and 
compel us to hazard our own lives, or those of others, on what 
would otherwise seem trifling contingencies.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


345 


“God’s law says nought of that,” said the female: “I have 
only read there that ‘ Thou shalt not kill. ’ But I have neither 
time nor inclination to preach to you ; you will find enough of 
fighting here if you like it, and well if it come not to seek 
you when you are least prepared. Farewell for the present ; 
the charwoman will execute your commands for your meals.” 

She left the room, just as Nigel, provoked at her assuming 
a superior tone of judgment and of censure, was about to be 
so superfluous as to enter into a dispute with an old pawn- 
broker’s daughter on the subject of the point of honour. He 
smiled at himself for the folly into which the spirit of self- 
vindication had so nearly hurried him. 

Lord Glenvarloch then applied to old Deborah the char- 
woman, by whose intermediation he was provided with a tol- 
erably decent dinner; and the only embarrassment which he 
experienced was from the almost forcible entry of the old do- 
tard, his landlord, who insisted upon giving his assistance at 
laying the cloth. Nigel had some difficulty to prevent him 
from displacing his arms and some papers which were lying on 
the small table at which he had been sitting ; and nothing short 
of a stern and positive injunction to the contrary could compel 
him to use another board, though there were two in the room, 
for the purpose of laying the cloth. 

Having at length obliged him to relinquish his purpose, he 
could not help observing that the eyes of the old dotard seemed 
still anxiously fixed upon the small table on which lay his 
sword and pistols ; and that, amidst all the little duties which 
he seemed officiously anxious to render to his guest, he took 
every opportunity of looking towards and approaching these 
objects of his attention. At length, when Trapbois thought 
he had completely avoided the notice of his guest, Nigel, 
through the observation of one of the cracked mirrors, on 
which channel of communication the old man had not calcu- 
lated, beheld him actually extend his hand towards the table 
in question. He thought it unnecessary to use farther cere- 
mony, but telling his landlord, in a stern voice, that he per- 
mitted no one to touch his arms, he commanded him to leave 
the apartment. The old usurer commenced a maundering sort 


346 


WAVERLBY NOVELS. 


of apology, in which all that Nigel distinctly apprehended was 
a frequent repetition of the word consideration, ” and which 
did not seem to him to require any other answer than a reit- 
eration of his command to him to leave the apartment, upon 
pain of worse consequences. 

The ancient Hebe who acted as Lord Glenvarloch’s cup- 
bearer took his part against the intrusion of the still more 
antiquated Ganymede, and insisted on old Trapbois leaving 
the room instantly, menacing him at the same time with her 
mistress’s displeasure if he remained there any longer. The 
old man seemed more under petticoat government than any 
other, for the threat of the charwoman produced greater effect 
upon him than the more formidable displeasure of Nigel. He 
withdrew grumbling and muttering, and Lord Glenvarloch 
heard him bar a large door at the nearer end of the gallery, 
which served as a division betwixt the other parts of the ex- 
tensive mansion and the apartment occupied by his guest, 
which, as the reader is aware, had its access from the 
landing-place at the head of the grand staircase. 

Nigel accepted the careful sound of the bolts and bars, as 
they were severally drawn by the trembling hand of old Trap- 
bois, as an omen that the senior did not mean again to revisit 
him in the course of the evening, and heartily rejoiced that 
he was at length to be left to uninterrupted solitude. 

The old woman asked if there was aught else to be done for 
his accommodation ; and, indeed, it had hitherto seemed as if 
the pleasure of serving him, or more properly the reward which 
she expected, had renewed her youth and activity. Nigel de- 
sired to have candles, to have a fire lighted in his apartment, 
and a few fagots placed beside it, that he might feed it from 
time to time, as he began to feel the chilly effects of the damp 
and low situation of the house, close as it was to the Thames. 
But while the old woman was absent upon his errand, he 
began to think in what way he should pass the long solitary 
evening with which he was threatened. 

His own reflections promised to Nigel little amusement, and 
less applause. He had considered his own perilous situation 
in every light in which it could be viewed, and foresaw as 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


347 


little utility as comfort in resuming the survey. To divert 
the current of his ideas, books were, of course, the readiest 
resource; and although, like most of us, Nigel had, in his 
time, sauntered through large libraries, and even spent a long 
time there without greatly disturbing their learned contents, 
he was now in a situation where the possession of a volume, 
even of very inferior merit, becomes a real treasure. The 
old housewife returned shortly afterwards with fagots, and 
some pieces of half -burnt wax-candles, the perquisites, prob- 
ably, real or usurped, of some experienced groom of the cham- 
bers, two of which she placed in large brass candlesticks, of 
different shapes and patterns, and laid the others on the table, 
that Nigel might renew them from time to time as they burnt 
to the socket. She heard with interest Lord Glenvarloch’s 
request to have a book — any sort of book — to pass away the 
night withal, and returned for answer, that she knew of no 
other books in the house than her young mistress’s (as she 
always denominated Mistress Martha Trapbois) Bible, which 
the owner would not lend; and her master’s Whetstone of 
WittOf being the second part of Arithmetic, by Robert Record, 
with the Cossike Practice and Rule of Equation, which promis- 
ing volume Nigel declined to borrow. She offered, however, 
to bring him some books from Duke Hildebrod — “ who some- 
times, good gentleman, gave a glance at a book when the state 
affairs of Alsatia left him as much leisure.” 

Nigel embraced the proposal, and his unwearied Iris scuttled 
away on this second embassy. She returned in a short time 
with a tattered quarto volume under her arm, and a pottle of 
sack in her hand ; for the duke, judging that mere reading 
was dry work, had sent the wine by way of sauce to help it 
down, not forgetting to add the price to the morning’s score 
which he had already run up against the stranger in the sanc- 
tuary. 

Nigel seized on the book, and did not refuse the wine, 
thinking that a glass or two, as it really proved to be of good 
quality, would be no bad interlude to his studies. He dis- 
missed with thanks and assurance of reward the poor old 
drudge who had been so zealous in his service ; trimmed his fire 


348 


WAYERLEY NOVELS. 


and candles, and placed the easiest of the old arm-chairs in a 
convenient posture betwixt the fire and the table at which he 
had dined, and which now supported the measure of sack and 
the lights ; and thus accompanying his studies with such lux- 
urious appliances as were in his power, he began to examine 
the only Volume with which the ducal library of Alsatia had 
been able to supply him. 

The contents, though of a kind generally interesting, were 
not well calculated to dispel the gloom by which he was sur- 
rounded. The book was entitled God^s Revenge against Mur- 
tlier ^ — not, as the bibliomaniacal reader may easily conjecture, 
the work which Reynolds published under that imposing 
name, but one of a much earlier date, printed and sold by old 
Wolfe; and which, could a copy now be found, would sell for 
much more than its weight in gold. 

Nigel had soon enough of the doleful tales which the book 
contains, and attempted one or two other modes of killing the 
evening. He looked out at window, but the night was rainy, 
with gusts of wind ; he tried to coax the fire, but the fagots 
were green, and smoked without burning ; and as he was nat- 
urally temperate, he felt his blood somewhat heated by the 
canary sack which he had already drank, and had no farther 
inclination to that pastime. He next attempted to compose 
a memorial addressed to the King, in which he set forth his 
case and his grievances; but, speedily stung with the idea 
that his supplication would be treated with scorn, he flung 
the scroll into the fire, and, in a sort of desperation, resumed 
the book which he had laid aside. 

Nigel became more interested in the volume at the second 
than at the first attempt which he made to peruse it. The 
narratives, strange and shocking as they were to human feel- 
ing, possessed yet the interest of sorcery or of fascination, 
which rivets the attention by its awakening horrors. Much 
was told of the strange and horrible acts of blood by which 
men, setting nature and humanity alike at defiance, had, for 
the thirst of revenge, the lust of gold, or the cravings of ir- 
regular ambition, broken into the tabernacle of life. Yet 
1 See Note 29. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


349 


more surprising and mysterious tales were recounted of the 
mode in which such deeds of blood had come to be discovered 
and revenged. Animals — irrational animals — had told the 
secret, and birds of the air had carried the matter. The 
elements had seemed to betray the deed which had polluted 
them : earth had ceased to support the murderer’s steps, lire 
to warm his frozen limbs, water to refresh his parched lips, 
air to relieve his gasping lungs. All, in short, bore evidence 
to the homicide’s guilt. In other circumstances, the crimi- 
nal’s own awakened conscience pursued and brought him to 
justice; and in some narratives the grave was said to have 
yawned, that the ghost of the sufferer might call for re- 
venge. 

It was now wearing late in the night, and the book was still 
in Nigel’s hands, when the tapestry which hung behind him 
flapped against the wall, and the wind produced by its motion 
waved the flame of the candles by which he was reading. 
Nigel started and turned round, in that excited and irritated 
state of mind which arose from the nature of his studies, 
especially at a period when a certain degree of superstition was 
inculcated as a point of religious faith. It was not without 
emotion that he saw the bloodless countenance, meagre form, 
and ghastly aspect of old Trapbois, once more in the very act 
of extending his withered hand towards the table which sup- 
ported his arms. Convinced by this untimely apparition that 
something evil was meditated towards him, Nigel sprung up, 
seized his sword, drew it, and placing it at the old man’s 
breast, demanded of him what he did in his apartment at so 
untimely an hour. Trapbois showed neither fear nor surprise, 
and only answered by some imperfect expressions, intimating 
he would part with his life rather than with his property ; and 
Lord Glenvarloch, strangely embarrassed, knew not what to 
think of the intruder’s motives, and still less how to get rid 
of him. As he again tried the means of intimidation, he was 
surprised by a second apparition from behind the tapestry in 
the person of the daughter of Trapbois, bearing a lamp in her 
hand. She also seemed to possess her father’s insensibility 
to danger, for, coming close to Nigel, she pushed aside im- 


350 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


petuously his naked sword, and even attempted to take it out 
of his hand. 

‘‘ For shame, ” she said, “ your sword on a man of eighty 
years and more! This the honour of a Scottish gentleman! 
Give it to me to make a spindle of.’’ 

Stand back, ” said Nigel. “ I mean your father no injury ; 
but I will know what has caused him to prowl this whole day, 
and even at this late hour of night, around my arms.” 

“Your arms!” repeated she; “alas! young man, the whole 
arms in the Tower of London are of little value to him, in 
comparison of this miserable piece of gold which I left this 
morning on the table of a young spendthrift, too careless to 
put what belonged to him into his own purse.” 

So saying, she showed the piece of gold, which, still remain- 
ing on the table where she left it, "had been the bait that 
attracted old Trapbois so frequently to the spot ; and which, 
even in the silence of the night, had so dwelt on his imagina- 
tion, that he had made use of a private passage long disused 
to enter his guest’s apartment, in order to possess himself of 
the treasure during his slumbers. He now exclaimed, at the 
highest tones of his cracked and feeble voice : 

“ It is mine — it is mine ! He gave it to me for a consider- 
ation. I will die ere I part with my property!” 

“It is indeed his own, mistress,” said Nigel, “and I do en- 
treat you to restore it to the person on whom I have bestowed 
it, and let me have my apartment in quiet.” 

“ I will account with you for it, then, ” said the maiden, re- 
luctantly giving to her father the morsel of Mammon, on which 
he darted as if his bony fingers had been the talons of a hawk 
seizing its prey ; and then making a contented muttering and 
mumbling, like an old dog after he has been fed, and just 
when he is wheeling himself thrice round for the purpose of 
lying down, he followed his daughter behind the tapestry, 
through a little sliding-door, which was perceived when the 
hangings were drawn apart. 

“This shall be properly fastened to-morrow,” said the 
daughter to Nigel, speaking in such a tone that her father, 
deaf, and engrossed by his acquisition, could not hear her; 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


351 


“ to-night I will continue to watch him closely. I wish you 
good repose.’’ 

These few words, pronounced in a tone of more civility than 
she had yet made use of towards her lodger, contained a wish 
which was not to be accomplished, although her guest, pres- 
ently after her departure, retired to bed. 

There was a slight fever in Nigel’s blood, occasioned by the 
various events of the evening, which put him, as the phrase 
is, beside his rest. Perplexing and painful thoughts rolled on 
his mind like a troubled stream, and the more he laboured to 
lull himself to slumber, the farther he seemed from attaining 
his object. He tried all the resources common in such cases: 
kept counting from one to a thousand, until his head was 
giddy ; he watched the embers of the wood fire till his eyes 
were dazzled ; he listened to the dull moaning of the wind, the 
swinging and creaking of signs which projected from the houses, 
and the baying of here and there a homeless dog, till his very 
ear was weary. 

Suddenly, however, amid this monotony, came a sound which 
startled him at once. It was a female shriek. He sat up in 
his bed to listen, then remembered he was in Alsatia, where 
brawls of every sort were current among the unruly inhabi- 
tants. But another scream, and another, and another, suc- 
ceeded so close, that he was certain, though the noise was 
remote, and sounded stifled, it must be in the same house 
with himseK. 

Nigel jumped up hastily, put on a part of his clothes, seized 
his sword and pistols, and ran to the door of his chamber. 
Here he plainly heard the screams redoubled, and, as he 
thought, the sounds came from the usurer’s apartment. All 
access to the gallery was effectually excluded by the interme- 
diate door, which the brave young lord shook with eager but 
vain impatience. But the secret passage occurred suddenly 
to his recollection. He hastened back to his room, and suc- 
ceeded with some difficulty in lighting a candle, powerfully 
agitated by hearing the cries repeated, yet still more afraid 
lest they should sink into silence. 

He rushed along the narrow and winding entrance, guided 


352 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


by the noise, which now burst more wildly on his ear ; and, 
while he descended a narrow staircase which terminated the 
passage, he heard the stifled voices of men, encouraging, as 
it seemed, each other. “ D — n her, strike her down — silence 
her — beat her brains out!” while the voice of his hostess, 
though now almost exhausted, was repeating the cry of ‘‘ mur- 
der” and “ help. ” At the bottom of the staircase was a small 
door, which gave way before Nigel as he precipitated himself 
upon the scene of action, a cocked pistol in one hand, a candle 
in the other, and his naked sword under his arm. 

Two ruffians had, with great difficulty, overpowered, or, 
rather, were on the point of overpowering, the daughter of 
Trapbois, whose resistance appeared to have been most des- 
perate, for the floor was covered with fragments of her clothes 
and handfuls of her hair. It appeared that her life was about 
to be the price of her defence, for one villain had drawn a 
long clasp knife, when they were surprised by the entrance 
of Nigel, who, as they turned towards him, shot the fellow 
with the knife dead on the spot, and when the other advanced 
to him, hurled the candlestick at his head, and then attacked 
him with his sword. It was dark save some pale moonlight 
from the window ; and the ruffian, after firing a pistol without 
effect, and fighting a traverse or two with his sword, lost heart, 
made for the window, leaped over it, and escaped. Nigel fired 
his remaining pistol after him at a venture, and then called 
for light. 

“ There is light in the kitchen, ” answered Martha Trapbois, 
with more presence of mind than could have been expected. 

Stay, you know not the way ; I will fetch it myself. Oh I 
my father — my poor father ! I knew it would come to this, and 
all along of the accursed gold! They have murdered him!” 


rHE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


353 


CHAPTER XXV. 

Death finds us ’mid our playthings, snatches us, 

As a cross nurse might do a wayward child, 

From all our toys and baubles. His rough call 
Unlooses all our favourite ties on earth ; 

And well if they are such as may be answer’d 
In yonder world, where all is judged of truly. 

Old Play. 

It was a ghastly scene which opened upon Martha Trapbois’s 
return with a light. Her own haggard and austere features 
were exaggerated by all the desperation of grief, fear, and 
passion; but the latter was predominant. On the floor lay 
the body of the robber, who had expired without a groan, 
while his blood, flowing plentifully, had crimsoned all around. 
Another body lay also there, on which the unfortunate woman 
precipitated herself in agony, for it was that of her unhappy 
father. In the next moment she started up, and exclaiming. 

There maybe life yet!” strove to raise the body. Nigel 
went to her assistance, but not without a glance at the open 
window ; which Martha, as acute as if undisturbed either by 
passion or terror, failed not to interpret justly. 

Fear not, ” she cried — “ fear not ; they are base cowards, 
to whom courage is as much unknown as mercy. If I had had 
weapons, I could have defended myself against them without 
assistance or protection. Oh! my poor father! protection 
comes too late for this cold and stiff corpse. He is dead — 
dead!” 

While she spoke, they were attempting to raise the dead 
body of the old miser ; but it was evident, even from the feel- 
ing of the inactive weight and rigid joints, that life had for- 
saken her station. Nigel looked for a wound, but saw none. 
The daughter of the deceased, with more presence of mind 
than a daughter could at the time have been supposed capable 
of exerting, discovered the instrument of his murder — a sort of 
scarf, which had been drawn so tight round his throat as to 
stifle his cries for assistance in the first instance, and after- 
wards to extinguish life. 

23 


354 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


She undid the fatal noose; and, laying the old man^s body 
in the arms of Lord Glenvarloch, she ran for water, for spirits, 
for essences, in the vain hope that life might be only suspended. 
That hope proved indeed vain. She chafed his temples, raised 
his head, loosened his nightgown, for it seemed as if he had 
arisen from bed upon hearing the entrance of the viUains, 
and, finally, opened with difficulty his fixed and closely- 
clenched hands, from one of which dropped a key, from the 
other the very piece of gold about which the unhappy man had 
been a little before so anxious, and which probably, in the im- 
paired state of his mental faculties, he was disposed to de- 
fend with as desperate energy as if its amount had been neces- 
sary to his actual existence. 

“ It is in vain — it is in vain, ” said the daughter, desisting 
from her fruitless attempts to recall the spirit which had been 
effectually dislodged, for the neck had been twisted by the 
violence of the murderers — “ it is in vain ; he is murdered. 
I always knew it would be thus, and now I witness it!” 

She then snatched up the key and the piece of money, but 
it was only to dash them again on the fioor, as she exclaimed : 
“ Accursed be ye both, for you are the causes of this deed!” 

Nigel would have spoken — would have reminded her that 
measures should be instantly taken for the pursuit of the mur- 
derer who had escaped, as well as for her own security against 
his return ; but she interrupted him sharply. 

“ Be silent, ” she said — “ be silent. Think you, the thoughts 
of my own heart are not enough to distract me, and with such 
a sight as this before me? I say, be silent,” she said again, 
and in a yet sterner tone. “Can a daughter listen, and her 
father’s murdered corpse lying on her knees?” 

Lord Glenvarloch, however overpowered by the energy of 
her grief, felt not the less the embarrassment of his own situ- 
ation. He had discharged both his pistols ; the robber might 
return ; he had probably other assistants besides the man who 
had fallen, and it seemed to him, indeed, as if he had heard a 
muttering beneath the windows. He explained hastily to his 
companion the necessity of procuring ammunition. 

“You are right,” she said, somewhat contemptuously, “and 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


355 


have ventured already more than ever I expected of man. 
Go, and shift for yourself, since that is your purpose ; leave 
me to my fate.’^ 

Without stopping for needless expostulation, Nigel hastened 
to his own room through the secret passage, furnished himself 
with the ammunition he sought for, and returned with the 
same celerity ; wondering himself at the accuracy with which 
he achieved, in the dark, all the meanderings of the passage 
which he had traversed only once, and that in a moment of 
such violent agitation. 

He found, on his return, the unfortunate woman standing 
like a statue by the body of her father, which she had laid 
straight on the floor, having covered the face with the skirt of 
his gown. She testified neither surprise nor pleasure at NigeU s 
return, but said to him calmly : “ My moan is made — my sor- 
row — all the sorrow at least that man shall ever have noting 
of — is gone past; but I will have justice, and the base villain 
who murdered this poor defenceless old man, when he had 
not, by the course of nature, a twelvemonth’s life in him, 
shall not cumber the earth long after him. Stranger, whom 
Heaven has sent to forward the revenge reserved for this 
action, go to Hildebrod’s — there they are awake all night in 
their revels — bid him come hither ; he is bound by his duty, 
and dare not, and shall not, refuse his assistance, which he 
knows well I can reward. Why do ye tarry? — go instantly.” 

‘‘I would,” said Nigel, “but I am fearful of leaving you 
alone ; the villains may return, and ” 

“True — most true,” answered Martha, “he may return; 
and, though I care little for his murdering me, he may pos- 
sess himself of what has most tempted him. Keep this key 
and this piece of gold — they are both of importance ; defend 
your life if assailed, and if you kill the villain I wiU make you 
rich. I go myself to call for aid.” 

Nigel would have remonstrated with her, but she had de- 
parted, and in a moment he heard the house-door clank behind 
her. For an instant he thought of following her ; but upon 
recollection that the distance was but short betwixt the tavern 
of Hildebrod and the house of Trapbois, he concluded that she 


356 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


knew it better than he, incurred little danger in passing it, and 
that he would do well in the mean while to remain on the watch 
as she recommended. 

It was no pleasant situation for one unused to such scenes 
to remain in the apartment with two dead bodies, recently 
those of living and breathing men, who had both, within the 
space of less than half an hour, suffered violent death ; one of 
them by the hand of the assassin, the other, whose blood still 
continued to flow from the wound in his throat, and to flood 
all around him, by the spectator's own deed of violence, though 
of justice. He turned his face from those wretched relics of 
mortality with a feeling of disgust, mingled with superstition ; 
and he found, when he had done so, that the consciousness of 
the presence of these ghastly objects, though unseen by him, 
rendered him more uncomfortable than even when he had his 
eyes fixed upon, and reflected by, the cold, staring, lifeless 
eyeballs of the deceased. Fancy also played her usual sport 
with him. He now thought he heard the well-worn damask 
nightgown of the deceased usurer rustle ; anon, that he heard 
the slaughtered bravo draw up his leg, the boot scratching the 
floor as if he was about to rise ; and again he deemed he heard 
the footsteps and the whisper of the returned ruffian under the 
window from which he had lately escaped. To face the last 
and most real danger, and to parry the terrors which the other 
class of feelings were like to impress upon him, Nigel went to 
the window, and was much cheered to observe the light of 
several torches illuminating the street, and followed, as the 
murmur of voices denoted, by a number of persons, armed, it 
would seem, with firelocks and halberds, and attendant on 
Hildebrod, who (not in his fantastic office of duke, but in that 
which he really possessed of bailiff of the liberty and sanctuary 
of Whitefriars) was on his way to inquire into the crime and 
its circumstances. 

It was a strange and melancholy contrast to see these de- 
bauchees, disturbed in the very depths of their midnight revel, 
on their arrival at such a scene as this. They stared on each 
other, and on the bloody work before them, with lack-lustre 
eyes ; staggered with uncertain steps over boards slippery with 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


357 


blood; their noisy brawling voices sunk into stammering whis- 
pers ; and, with spirits quelled by what they saw, while their 
brains were still stupified by the liquor which they had drunk, 
they seemed like men walking in their sleep. 

Old Hildebrod was an exception to the general condition. 
That seasoned cask, however full, was at all times capable of 
motion, when there occurred a motive sufficiently strong to 
set him a-rolling. He seemed much shocked at what he be- 
held, and his proceedings, in consequence, had more in them 
of regularity and propriety than he might have been sup- 
posed capable of exhibiting upon any occasion whatever. The 
daughter was first examined, and stated, with wonderful ac- 
curacy and distinctness, the manner in which she had been 
alarmed with a noise of struggling and violence in her father’s 
apartment, and that the more readily, because she was watch- 
ing him on account of some alarm concerning his health. On 
her entrance, she had seen her father sinking under the 
strength of two men, upon whom she rushed with all the fury 
she was capable of. As their faces were blackened and their 
figures disguised, she could not pretend, in the hurry of a 
moment so dreadfully agitating, to distinguish either of them 
as persons whom she had seen before. She remembered little 
more except the firing of shots, until she found herself alone 
with her guest, and saw that the ruffian had escaped. 

Lord Glenvarloch told his story as we have given it to the 
reader. The direct evidence thus received, Hildebrod ex- 
amined the premises. He found that the villains had made 
then entrance by the window out of which the survivor had 
made his escape; yet it seemed singular that they should have 
done so, as it was secured with strong iron bars, which old 
Trapbois was in the habit of shutting with his own hand at 
nightfall. He minuted down with great accuracy the state of 
everything in the apartment, and examined carefully the fea- 
tures of the slain robber. He was dressed like a seaman of 
the lowest order, but his face was known to none present. 
Hildebrod next sent for an Alsatian surgeon, whose vices, un- 
doing what his skill might have done for him, had consigned 
him to the wretched practice of this place. He made him 


368 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


examine the dead bodies, and make a proper declaration of 
the manner in which the sufferers seemed to have come by 
their end. The circumstance of the sash did not escape the 
learned judge, and having listened to all that could be heard 
or conjectured on the subject, and collected all particulars of 
evidence which appeared to bear on the bloody transaction, he 
commanded the door of the apartment to be locked until next 
morning ; and carrying the unfortunate daughter of the mur- 
dered man into the kitchen, where there was no one in presence 
but Lord Glenvarloch, he asked her gravely, whether she 
suspected no one in particular of having committed the deed. 

‘‘ Do you suspect no one?” answered Martha, looking fixedly 
on him. 

“ Perhaps I may, mistress ; but it is my part to ask qjies- 
tions, yours to answer them. ThaPs the rule of the game.” 

“ Then I suspect him who wore yonder sash. Do not you 
know whom I mean?” 

Why, if you call on me for honours, I must needs say I 
have seen Captain Peppercull have one of such a fashion, and 
he was not a man to change his suits often.” 

‘‘Send out, then,” said Martha, “and have him appre- 
hended.” 

“ If it is he, he will be far by this time ; but I will com- 
municate with the higher powers,” answered the judge. 

“ You would have him escape,” resumed she, fixing her eyes 
on him sternly. 

“ By cock and pie, ” replied Hildebrod, “ did it depend on me, 
the murdering cut-throat should hang as high as ever Haman 
did 5 but let me take my time. He has friends among us, that you 
wot well ; and all that should assist me are as drunk as fiddlers.” 

“I will have revenge — I will have it,” repeated she; “and 
take heed you trifie not with me.” 

“ Trifle ! I would sooner trifle with a she-bear the minute 
after they had baited her. I tell you, mistress, be but pa- 
tient, and we will have him. I know all his haunts, and he 
cannot forbear them long ; and I will have trap-doors open for 
him. You cannot want justice, mistress, for you have the 
means to get it.” 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


359 


“ They who help me in my revenge, ” said Martha, shall 
share those means.” 

“ Enough said, ” replied Hildebrod ; “ and now I would have 
you go to my house and get something hot : you will be but 
dreary here by yourself.” 

‘‘ I will send for the old charwoman, ” replied Martha, and 
we have the stranger gentleman, besides.” 

“Umph — umph, the stranger gentleman!” said Hildebrod 
to Nigel, whom he drew a little apart. I fancy the captain 
has made the stranger gentleman’s fortune when he was mak- 
ing a bold dash for his own. I can tell your honour — I must 
not say lordship — that I think my having chanced to give the 
greasy buff-and-iron scoundrel some hint of what I recom- 
mended to you to-day has put him on this rough game. The 
better for you : you will get the cash without the father-in- 
law. You will keep conditions, I trust?” 

“ I wish you had said nothing to any one of a scheme so 
absurd,” said Nigel. 

“Absurd! Why, think you she will not have thee? Take 
her with the tear in her eye, man — take her with the tear in 
her eye. Let me hear from you to-morrow. Good-night, 
good-night ; a nod is as good as a wink. I must to my busi- 
ness of sealing and locking up. By the way, this horrid work 
has put all out of my head. Here is a fellow from Mr. Lowe- 
stoffe has been asking to see you. As he said his business 
was express, the senate only made him drink a couple of flag- 
ons, and he was just coming to beat up your quarters when 
this breeze blew up. Ahey, friend! there is Master Nigel 
Grahame. ” 

A young man, dressed in a green plush jerkin, with a badge 
on the sleeve, and having the appearance of a waterman, ap- 
proached and took Nigel aside, while Duke Hildebrod went 
from place to place to exercise his authority, and to see the 
windows fastened and the doors of the apartment locked up. 
The news communicated by Lowestofle’s messenger were not 
the most pleasant. They were intimated in a courteous whis- 
per to Nigel, to the following effect : That Master Lowestoffe 
prayed him to consult his safety by instantly leaving White- 


360 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


friars, for that a warrant from the Lord Chief Justice had 
been issued out for apprehending him, and would be put in 
force to-morrow, by the assistance of a party of musketeers, 
a force which the Alsatians neither would nor dared to resist. 

“And so, squire,” said the aquatic emissary, “my wherry 
is to wait you at the Temple Stairs yonder, at five this morn- 
ing, and, if you would give the bloodhounds the slip, why, 
you may.” 

“ Why did not Master Lowestoffe write to me?” said Nigel. 

“ Alas ! the good gentleman lies up in lavender for it him- 
self, and has as little to do with pen and ink as if he were a 
parson.” 

“Did he send any token to me?” said Nigel. 

“ Token ! ay, marry did he — token enough, an I have not 
forgot it, ” said the fellow ; then, giving a hoist to the waist- 
band of his breeches, he said : “ Ay, I have it : you were to 
believe me, because your name was written with an 0 for 
Grahame. Ay, that was it, I think. Well, shall we meet 
in two hours, when tide turns, and go down the river like a 
twelve-oared barge?” 

“Where is the King just now, knowest thou?” answered 
Lord Glenvarloch. 

“The King! why, he went down to Greenwich yesterday 
by water, like a noble sovereign as he is, who will always 
float where he can. He was to have hunted this week, but 
that purpose is broken, they say; and the Prince, and the 
Duke, and all of them at Greenwich, are as merry as min- 
nows.” 

“Well,” replied Nigel, “I will be ready to go at five; do 
thou come hither to carry my baggage.” 

“ Ay — ay, master, ” replied the fellow, and left the house, 
mixing himself with the disorderly attendants of Duke Hilde- 
brod, who were now retiring. That potentate entreated Nigel 
to make fast the doors behind him, and, pointing to the female 
who sat by the expiring fire with her limbs outstretched, like 
one whom the hand of death had already arrested, he whis- 
pered : “ Mind your hits, and mind your bargain, or I will cut 
your bowstring for you before you can draw it.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


361 


Feeling deeply the ineffable brutality which could recom- 
mend the prosecuting such views over a wretch in such a con- 
dition, Lord Glenvarloch yet commanded his temper so far as 
to receive the advice in silence, and attend to the former part 
of it, by barring the door carefully behind Duke Hildebrod 
and his suite, with the tacit hope that he should never again 
see or hear of them. He then returned to the kitchen, in 
which the unhappy woman remained, her hands still clenched, 
her eyes fixed, and her limbs extended, like those of a person 
in a trance. Much moved by her situation, and with the 
prospect which lay before her, he endeavoured to awaken her 
to existence by every means in his power, and at length ap- 
parently succeeded in dispelling her stupor and attracting her 
attention. He then explained to her that he was in the act 
of leaving Whitefriars in a few hours, that his future desti- 
nation was uncertain, but that he desired anxiously to know 
whether he could contribute to her protection by apprising any 
friend of her situation, or otherwise. With some difiB.culty 
she seemed to comprehend his meaning, and thanked him with 
her usual short ungracious manner. He might mean well, ” 
she said, “ but he ought to know that the miserable had no 
friends. ” 

Nigel said: ‘‘He would not willingly be importunate, but, 
as he was about to leave the Friars ” 

She interrupted him: “You are about to leave the Friars? 
I will go with you.” 

“You go with me!” exclaimed Lord Glenvarloch. 

“Yes,” she said, “I will persuade my father to leave this 
murdering den.” But, as she spoke, the more perfect recol- 
lection of what had passed crowded on her mind. She hid 
her face in her hands, and burst out into a dreadful fit of 
sobs, moans, and lamentations, which terminated in hysterics, 
violent in proportion to the uncommon strength of her body 
and mind. 

Lord Glenvarloch, shocked, confused, and inexperienced, 
was about to leave the house in quest of medical, or at least 
female, assistance ; but the patient, when the paroxysm had 
somewhat spent its force, held him fast by the sleeve with 


362 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


one hand, covering her face with the other, while a copious 
flood of tears came to relieve the emotions of grief by which 
she had been so violently agitated. 

“ Do not leave me, ” she said — do not leave me, and call 
no one. I have never been in this way before, and would not 
now,” she said, sitting upright, and wiping her eyes with her 
apron — would not now — but that — but that he loved me, if 
he loved nothing else that was human. To die so, and by 
such hands!” 

And again the unhappy woman gave way to a paroxysm of 
sorrow, mingling her tears with sobbing, wailing, and all the 
abandonment of female grief, when at its utmost height. At 
length, she gradually recovered the austerity of her natural 
composure, and maintained it as if by a forcible exertion of 
resolution, repelling, as she spoke, the repeated returns of 
the hysterical, affection, by such an effort as that by which 
epileptic patients are known to suspend the recurrence of their 
fits. Yet her mind, however resolved, could not so absolutely 
overcome the affection of her nerves but that she was agitated 
by strong fits of trembling, which, for a minute or two at a 
time, shook her whole frame in a manner frightful to witness. 
Nigel forgot his own situation, and, indeed, everything else, 
in the interest inspired by the unhappy woman before him— 
an interest which affected a proud spirit the more deeply, 
that she herself, with correspondent highness of mind, seemed 
determined to owe as little as possible either to the humanity 
or the pity of others. 

“I am not wont to be in this way,” she said; ‘^but — but 
— nature will have power over the frail* beings it has made. 
Over you, sir, I have some right ; for, without you, I had not 
survived this awful night. I wish your aid had been either 
earlier or later; but you have saved my life, and you are 
bound to assist in making it endurable to me.” 

“If you will show me how it is possible,” answered Nigel. 

“You are going hence, you say, instantly; carry me with 
you, ” said the unhappy woman. “ By my own efforts, I shall 
never escape from this wilderness of guilt and misery.” 

“Alas! what can I do for you?” replied Nigel. “My own 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


363 


way, and I must not deviate from it, leads me, in all proba- 
bility, to a dungeon. I might, indeed, transport you from 
hence with me, if you could afterwards bestow yourself with 
any friend.” 

‘‘Friend!” she exclaimed, “I have no friend; they have 
long since discarded us. A spectre arising from the dead 
were more welcome than I should be at the doors of those 
who have disclaimed us ; and, if they were willing to restore 
their friendship to me now, I would despise it, because they 
withdrew it from him — from him (here she underwent strong 
but suppressed agitation, and then added firmly) — from him 
who lies yonder. I have no friend. ” Here she paused ; and 
then suddenly, as if recollecting herself, added : “ I have no 
friend; but I have that will purchase many — I have that 
which will purchase both friends and avengers. It is well 
thought of ; I must not leave it for a prey to cheats and ruffians. 
Stranger, you must return to yonder room. Pass through it 
boldly to his — that is, to the sleeping-apartment; push the 
bedstead aside ; beneath each of the posts is a brass plate, as 
if to support the weight, but it is that upon the left, nearest 
to the wall, which must serve your turn ; press the corner of 
the plate, and it will spring up and show a keyhole, which 
this key will open. You will then lift a concealed trap-door, 
and in a cavity of the floor you will discover a small chest. 
Bring it hither; it shall accompany our journey, and it will 
be hard if the contents cannot purchase me a place of refuge.” 

“ But the door communicating with the kitchen has been 
locked by these people,” said Nigel. 

“ True, I had forgot ; they had their reasons for that, 
doubtless,” answered she. “But the secret passage from 
your apartment is open, and you may go that way. ” 

Lord Glenvarloch took the key, and, as he lighted a lamp 
to show him the way, she read in his countenance some un- 
willingness to the task imposed. 

“ You fear?” she said. “ There is no cause : the murderer 
and his victim are both at rest. Take courage, I will go 
with you myself; you cannot know the trick of the spring, 
and the chest will be too heavy for you.” 


364 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“No fear — no fear,” answered Lord Glenvarloch, ashamed 
of the construction she put on a momentary hesitation, aris- 
ing from a dislike to look upon what is horrible, often con- 
nected with those high-wrought minds which are the last to 
fear what is merely dangerous. “ I will do your errand as 
you desire ; but for you, you must not — cannot go yonder. ” 

“ I can — I will, ” she said. “ I am composed. You shall 
see that I am so.” She took from the table a piece of un- 
finished sewing-work, and, with steadiness and composure, 
passed a silken thread into the eye of a fine needle. “ Could 
I have done that,” she said, with a smile yet more ghastly 
than her previous look of fixed despair, “ had not my heart 
and hand been both steady?” 

She then led the way rapidly upstairs to Nigel’s chamber, 
and proceeded through the secret passage with the same haste, 
as if she had feared her resolution might have failed her ere 
her purpose was executed. At the bottom of the stairs she 
paused a moment, before entering the fatal apartment, then 
hurried through with a rapid step to the sleeping-chamber be- 
yond, followed closely by Lord Glenvarloch, whose reluctance 
to approach the scene of butchery was altogether lost in the anx- 
iety which he felt on account of the survivor of the tragedy. 

Her first action was to pull aside the curtains of her father’s 
bed. The bed-clothes were thrown aside in confusion, doubt- 
less in the action of his starting from sleep to oppose the 
entrance of the villains into the next apartment. The hard 
mattress scarcely showed the slight pressure where the ema- 
ciated body of the old miser had been deposited. His 
daughter sank beside the bed, clasped her hands, and prayed 
to Heaven, in a short and affecting manner, for support in 
her affliction, and for vengeance on the villains who had made 
her fatherless. A low-muttered and still more brief petition 
recommended to Heaven the soul of the sufferer, and invoked 
pardon for his sins, in virtue of the great Christian atonement. 

This duty of piety performed, she signed to Nigel to aid 
her ; and, having pushed aside the heavy bedstead, they saw 
the brass plate which Martha had described. She pressed 
the spring, and at once the plate starting up, showed the key- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


365 


hole, and a large iron ring used in lifting the trap-door, which, 
when raised, displayed the strong-box, or small chest, she 
had mentioned, and which proved indeed so very weighty that 
it might perhaps have been scarcely possible for Nigel, though 
a very strong man, to have raised it without assistance. 

Having replaced everything as they had found it, Nigel, 
with such help as his companion was able to afford, assumed 
his load, and made a shift to carry it into the next apartment, 
where lay the miserable owner, insensible to sounds and cir- 
cumstances which, if anything could have broken his long last 
slumber, would certainly have done so. 

His unfortunate daughter went up to his body, and had 
even the courage to remove the sheet which had been decently 
disposed over it. She put her hand on, the heart, but there 
was no throb ; held a feather to the lips, but there was no 
motion ; then kissed with deep reverence the starting veins of 
the pale forehead, and then the emaciated hand. 

would you could hear me,” she said, “father! I would 
you could hear me swear that, if I now save what you most 
valued on earth, it is only to assist me in obtaining vengeance 
for your death!” 

She replaced the covering, and, without a tear, a sigh, or 
an additional word of any kind, renewed her efforts, until 
they conveyed the strong-box betwixt them into Lord Glen- 
varloch’s sleeping-apartment. “It must pass,” she said, 
“ as part of your baggage. I will be in readiness so soon as 
the waterman calls.” 

She retired; and Lord Glenvarloch, who saw the hour of 
their departure approach, tore down a part of the old hang- 
ing to make a covering, which he corded upon the trunk, lest 
the peculiarity of its shape, and the care with which it was 
banded and counterbanded with bars of steel, might afford 
suspicions respecting the treasure which it contained. Hav- 
ing taken this measure of precaution, he changed the rascally 
disguise, which he had assumed on entering Whitefriars, into 
a suit becoming his quality, and then, unable to sleep, though 
exhausted with the events of the night, he threw himself on 
his bed to await the summons of the waterman. 


366 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

Give us good voyage, gentle stream. We stun not 
Thy sober ear with sounds of revelry, 

Wake not the slumbering echoes of thy banks 
With voice of flute and horn ; we do but seek 
On the broad pathway of thy swelling bosom 
To glide in silent safety. 

The Double Bridal. 

Grey, or rather yellow, light was beginning to twinkle 
through the fogs of Whitefriars, when a low tap at the door 
of the unhappy miser announced to Lord Glenvarloch the 
summons of the boatman. He found at the door the man 
whom he had seen the night before, with a companion. 

“ Come — come, master, let us get afloat, said one of them, 
in a rough impressive whisper, “ time and tide wait for no 
man. ’’ 

‘‘They shall not wait for me,” said Lord Glenvarloch; 
**but I have some things to carry with me.” 

“Ay — ay, no man will take a pair of oars now. Jack, un- 
less] he means to load the wherry like a six-horse waggon. 
When they don’t want to shift the whole kitt, they take a 
sculler, and be d — d to them. Come — come, where be your 
rattle-traps?” 

One of the men was soon sufiiciently loaded, in his own 
estimation at least, with Lord Glenvarloch’ s mail and its 
accompaniments, with which burden he began to trudge 
towards the Temple Stairs. His comrade, who seemed the 
principal, began to handle the trunk which contained the 
miser’s treasure, but pitched it down again in an instant, 
declaring, with a great oath, that it was as reasonable to 
expect a man to carry Paul’s on his back. The daughter of 
Trapbois, who had by this time joined them, mufi0.ed up in a 
long dark hood and mantle, exclaimed to Lord Glenvarloch : 
“ Let them leave it if they will — let them leave it all ; let us 
but escape from this horrible place.” 

We have mentioned elsewhere that Nigel was a very athletic 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


367 


young man, and, impelled by a strong feeling of compassion 
and indignation, be showed his bodily strength singularly on 
this occasion, by seizing on the ponderous strong-box, and, by 
means of the rope he had cast around it, throwing it on his 
shoulders, and marching resolutely forward under a weight 
which would have sunk to the earth three young gallants, at 
the least, of our degenerate day. The waterman followed 
him in amazement, calling out, ^‘Why, master — master, you 
might as well gie me t’other end on’t!” and anon offered 
his assistance to support it in some degree behind, which, 
after the first minute or two, Nigel was fain to accept. His 
strength was almost exhausted when he reached the wherry, 
which was lying at the Temple Stairs according to appoint- 
ment ; and when he pitched the trunk into it, the weight sank 
the bow of the boat so low in the water as wellnigh to over- 
set it. 

‘‘We shall have as hard a fare of it,” said the waterman to 
his companion, “ as if we were ferrying over an honest bank- 
rupt with all his secreted goods. Ho, ho ! good woman, what 
are you stepping in for? our gunwale lies deep enough in the 
water without live lumber to boot. ” 

“This person comes with me,” said Lord Glenvarloch; 
“ she is for the present under my protection. ” 

“Come — come, master,” rejoined the fellow, “that is out 
of my commission. You must not double my freight on me. 
She may go by land; and, as for protection, her face will 
protect her from Berwick to the Land’s End.” 

“ You will not except at my doubling the loading if I double 
the fare?” said Nigel, determined on no account to relinquish 
the protection of this unhappy woman, for which he had 
already devised some sort of plan, likely now to be baffled by 
the characteristic rudeness of the Thames watermen. 

“Ay, by G — , but I will except though,” said the fellow 
with the green plush jacket. “ I will overload my wherry 
neither for love nor money. I love my boat as well as my 
wife, and a thought better.” 

“Nay — nay, comrade,” said his mate, “that is speaking no 
true water language. For double fare we are bound to row a 


368 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


witch in her eggshell if she bid us; and so pull away, Jack, 
and let us have no more prating.” 

They got into the stream- way accordingly, and, although 
heavily laden, began to move down the river with reasonable 
speed. 

The lighter vessels which passed, overtook, or crossed them, 
in their course, failed not to assail them with the boisterous 
raillery which was then called water-wit ; for which the ex- 
treme plainness of Mistress Martha’s features, contrasted with 
the youth, handsome figure, and good looks of Nigel, fur- 
nished the principal topics ; while the circumstance of the boat 
being somewhat overloaded did not escape their notice. They 
were hailed successively as a grocer’s wife upon a party of 
pleasure with her eldest apprentice ; as an old woman carrying 
her grandson to school ; and as a young strapping Irishman, 
conveying an ancient maiden to Dr. Rigmarole’s at Redriffe, 
who buckles beggars for a tester and a dram of Geneva. AU 
this abuse was retorted in a similar strain of humour by Green- 
Jacket and his companion, who maintained the war of wit 
with the same alacrity with which they were assailed. 

Meanwhile, Lord Glenvarloch asked his desolate companion 
if she had thought on any place where she could remain in 
safety with her property. She confessed, in more detail than 
formerly, that her father’s character had left her no friends; 
and that, from the time he had betaken himself to Whitefriars, 
to escape certain legal consequences of his eager pursuit of 
gain, she had lived a life of total seclusion; not associating 
with the society which the place afforded, and, by her resi- 
dence there, as well as her father’s parsimony, effectually cut 
off from all other company. What she now wished was, in 
the first place, to obtain the shelter of a decent lodging, and 
the countenance of honest people, however low in life, until 
she should obtain legal advice as to the mode of obtaining 
justice on her father’s murderer. She had no hesitation to 
charge the guilt upon Colepepper, commonly called Pepper- 
cull, whom she knew to be as capable of any act of treacherous 
cruelty as he was cowardly where actual manhood was re- 
quired. He had been strongly suspected of two robberies be- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


369 


fore, one of which, was coupled with an atrocious murder. 
He had, she intimated, made pretensions to her hand as the 
easiest and safest way of obtaining possession of her father’s 
wealth ; and, on her refusing his addresses, if they could be 
termed so, in the most positive terms, he had thrown out ^uch 
obscure hints of vengeance as, joined with some imperfect 
assaults upon the house, had kept her in frequent alarm, both 
on her father’s account and her own. 

Nigel, but that his feeling of respectful delicacy to the 
unfortunate woman forbade him to do so, could here have 
communicated a circumstance corroborative of her suspicions, 
which had already occurred to his own mind. He recollected 
the hint that old Hildebrod threw forth on the preceding 
night, that some communication betwixt himself and Cole- 
pepper had hastened the catastrophe. As this communication 
related to the plan which Hildebrod had been pleased to form 
of promoting a marriage betwixt Nigel himself and the rich 
heiress of Trapbois, the fear of losing an opportunity not to 
be regained, together with the mean malignity of a low-bred 
ruffian, disappointed in a favourite scheme, was most likely 
to instigate the bravo to the deed of violence which had been 
committed. The reflection, that his own name was in some 
degree implicated with the causes of this horrid tragedy, 
doubled Lord Glenvarloch’s anxiety in behalf of the victim 
whom he had rescued, while at the same time he formed the 
tacit resolution that, so soon as his own afiiairs were put upon 
some footing, he would contribute all in his power towards 
the investigation of this bloody affair. 

After ascertaining from his companion that she could form 
no better plan of her own, he recommended to her to take up 
her lodging for the time at the house of his old landlord, 
Christie the ship-chandler, at Paul’s Wharf, describing the 
decency and honesty of that worthy couple, and expressing 
his hopes that they would receive her into their own house, or 
recommend her at least to that of some person for whom they 
would be responsible, until she should have time to enter upon 
other arrangements for herself. 

The poor woman received advice so grateful to her in her 

24 


370 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


desolate condition with an expression of thanks, brief indeed, 
but deeper than anything had yet extracted from the austerity 
of her natural disposition. 

Lord Glenvarloch then proceeded to inform Martha that 
certain reasons, connected with his personal safety, called him 
immediately to Greenwich, and, therefore, it would not be in 
his power to accompany her to Christie^ s house, which he 
would otherwise have done with pleasure ; but, tearing a leaf 
from his tablet, he wrote on it a few lines, addressed to his land- 
lord, as a man of honesty and humanity, in which he described 
the bearer as a person who stood in singular necessity of tem- 
porary protection and good advice, for which her circumstances 
enabled her to make ample acknowledgment. He therefore 
requested John Christie, as his old and good friend, to afford 
her the shelter of his roof for a short time ; or, if that might 
not be consistent with his convenience, at least to direct her 
to a proper lodging ; and, finally, he imposed on him the ad- 
ditional, and somewhat more difiB.cult, commission to recom- 
mend her to the counsel and services of an honest, at least a 
reputable and skilful, attorney, for the transacting some law 
business of importance. This note he subscribed with his 
real name, and, delivering it to his 'protege^ who received it 
with another deeply uttered “ I thank you, ’’ which spoke the 
sterling feelings of her gratitude better than a thousand com- 
bined phrases, he commanded the watermen to pull in for 
Paul’s Wharf, which they were now approaching. 

“We have not time,” said Green- Jacket; “we cannot be 
stopping every instant.” 

But, upon Nigel insisting upon his commands being obeyed, 
and adding, that it was for the purpose of putting the lady 
ashore, the waterman declared he would rather have her room 
than her company, and put the wherry alongside of the wharf 
accordingly. Here two of the porters, who ply in such places, 
were easily induced to undertake the charge of the ponderous 
strong-box, and at the same time to guide the owner to the 
well-known mansion of John Christie, with whom all who 
lived in that neighbourhood were perfectly acquainted. 

The boat, much lightened of its load, went down the Thames 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


371 


at a rate increased in proportion. But we must forbear to 
pursue her in her voyage for a few minutes, since we have 
previously to mention the issue of Lord Glenvarloch^s recom- 
mendation. 

Mistress Martha Trapbois reached the shop in perfect 
safety, and was about to enter it, when a sickening sense of 
the uncertainty of her situation, and of the singularly painful 
task of telling her story, came over her so strongly, that she 
paused a moment at the very threshold of her proposed place 
of refuge, to think in what manner she could best second the 
recommendation of the friend whom Providence had raised 
up to her. Had she possessed that knowledge of the world 
from which her habits of life had completely excluded her, she 
might have known that the large sum of money which she 
brought along with her might, judiciously managed, have been 
a passport to her into the mansions of nobles and the palaces 
of princes. But, however conscious of its general power, 
which assumes so many forms and complexions, she was so 
inexperienced as to be most unnecessarily afraid that the 
means by which the wealth had been acquired might exclude 
its inheritrix from shelter even in the house of a humble 
tradesman. 

While she thus delayed, a more reasonable cause for hesi- 
tation arose, in a considerable noise and altercation within the 
house, which grew louder and louder as the disputants issued 
forth upon the street or lane before the door. 

The first who entered upon the scene was a tall, raw-boned, 
hard-favoured man, who stalked out of the shop hastily, with 
a gait like that of a Spaniard in a passion, who, disdaining 
to add speed to his locomotion by running, only condescends, 
in the utmost extremity of his angry haste, to add length to 
his stride. He faced about, so soon as he was out of the 
house, upon his pursuer, a decent-looking, elderly, plain 
tradesman — no other than John Christie himself, the owner 
of the shop and tenement, by whom he seemed to be followed, 
and who was in a state of agitation more than is usually ex- 
pressed by such a person. 


372 


WAYERLEY NOVELS. 


“1^11 hear no more on’t,” said the personage who first ap- 
peared on the scene — “ sir, I will hear no more on it. Besides 
being a most false and impudent figment, as I can testify, it 
is scandaalum magnaatum, sir — scandaalum magnaaturriy ’’ he 
reiterated with a broad accentuation of the first vowel, well 
known in the colleges of Edinburgh and Glasgow, which we 
can only express in print by doubling the said first of letters and 
of vowels, and which would have cheered the cockles of the 
reigning monarch had he been within hearing — as he was a 
severer stickler for what he deemed the genuine pronunciation 
of the Roman tongue than for any of the royal prerogatives, 
for which he was at times disposed to insist so strenuously in 
his speeches to Parliament. 

“I care not an ounce of rotten cheese,” said John Christie 
in reply, “ what you call it — but it is true ; and I am a free 
Englishman, and have right to speak the truth in my own 
concerns; and your master is little better than a villain, and 
you no more than a swaggering coxcomb, whose head I will 
presently break, as I have known it well broken before on 
lighter occasion.” 

And so saying, he flourished the paring shovel which usually 
made clean the steps of his little shop, and which he had 
caught up as the readiest weapon of working his foeman dam- 
age, and advanced therewith upon him. The cautious Scot, 
for such our readers must have already pronounced him, from 
his language and pedantry, drew back as the enraged ship- 
chandler approached, but in a surly manner, and bearing his 
hand on his sword-hilt rather in the act of one who was los- 
ing habitual forbearance and caution of deportment than as 
alarmed by the attack of an antagonist inferior to himself in 
youth, strength, and weapons. 

Bide back, ” he said, “ Maister Christie — I say, bide back, 
and consult your safety, man. I have evited striking you in 
your ain house under muckle provocation, because I am ig- 
norant how the laws here may pronounce respecting burglary 
and hame-sucken, and such matters ; and, besides, I would not 
willingly hurt ye, man, e’en on the causeway, that is free to 
us baith, because I mind your kindness of lang syne, and 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL 


373 


partly consider ye as a poor deceived creature. But deil d — n 
me, sir, and I am not wont to swear, but if you touch my 
Scotch shouther with that shule of yours, I will make six 
inches of my Andrew Ferrara deevilish intimate with your 
guts, neighbour.” 

And therewithal, though still retreating from the bran- 
dished shovel, he made one-third of the basket-hilted broad- 
sword which he wore visible from the sheath. The wrath of 
John Christie was abated, either by his natural temperance of 
disposition, or perhaps in part by the glimmer of cold steel, 
which flashed on him from his adversary’s last action. 

‘‘I would do well to cry clubs on thee, and have thee 
ducked at the wharf, ” he said, grounding his shovel, however, 
at the same time, “for a paltry swaggerer, that would draw 
thy bit of iron there on an honest citizen before his own door ; 
but get thee gone, and reckon on a salt eel for thy supper, if 
thou shouldst ever come near my house again. I wish it had 
been at the bottom of Thames when it first gave the use of 
its roof to smooth-faced, oily-tongued, double-minded Scots 
thieves!” 

“ It’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest,” replied his adver- 
sary, not perhaps the less bold that he saw matters were tak- 
ing the turn of a pacific debate; “and a pity it is that a 
kindly Scot should ever have married in foreign parts, and 
given life to a purse-proud, pudding -headed, fat-gutted, lean- 
brained Southron, e’en such as you, Maister Christie. But 
fare ye weel — fare ye weel, for ever and a day ; and if you 
quarrel wi’ a Scot again, man, say as mickle ill o’ himseli as 
ye like, but say nane of his patron or of his countrymen, or it 
will scarce be your flat cap that will keep your lang lugs from 
the sharp abridgement of a Highland whinger, man. ” 

“ And, if you continue your insolence to me before my own 
door, were it but two minutes longer,” retorted John Christie, 
“I will call the constable, and make your Scottish ankles 
acquainted with an English pair of stocks!” 

So saying, he turned to retire into his shop with some show 
of victory ; for his enemy, whatever might be his innate val- 
our, manifested no desire to drive matters to extremity — con- 


374 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


scious, perhaps, that whatever advantage he might gain in 
single combat with John Christie would be more than over- 
balanced by incurring an affair with the constituted authori- 
ties of Old England, not at that time apt to be particularly 
favourable to their new fellow-subjects, in the various succes- 
sive broils which were then constantly taking place between 
the individuals of two proud nations, who still retained a 
stronger sense of their national animosity during centuries 
than of their late union for a few years under the government 
of the same prince. 

Mrs. Martha Trapbois had dwelt too long in Alsatia to be 
either surprised or terrified at the altercation she had wit- 
nessed. Indeed, she only wondered that the debate did not 
end in some of those acts of violence by which they were 
usually terminated in the sanctuary. As the disputants 
separated from each other, she, who had no idea that the 
cause of the quarrel was more deeply rooted than in the daily 
scenes of the same nature which she had heard of or wit- 
nessed, did not hesitate to stop Master Christie in his return 
to his shop, and present to him the letter which Lord Glen- 
varloch had given to her. Had she been better acquainted 
with life and its business, she would certainly have waited for 
a more temperate moment; and she had reason to repent of 
her precipitation, when, without saying a single word, or tak- 
ing the trouble to gather more of the information contained in 
the letter than was expressed in the subscription, the incensed 
ship-chandler threw it down on the ground, trampled it in 
high disdain, and, without addressing a single word to the 
bearer, except, indeed, something much more like a hearty 
curse than was perfectly consistent with his own grave ap- 
pearance, he retired into his shop and shut the hatch-door. 

It was with the most inexpressible anguish that the deso- 
late, friendless, and unhappy female thus beheld her sole hope 
of succour, countenance, and protection vanish at once, with- 
out being able to conceive a reason; for, to do her justice, the 
idea that her friend, whom she knew by the name of Nigel 
Grahame, had imposed on her — a solution which might readily 
have occurred to many in her situation — never once entered her 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


375 


mind. Although it was not her temper easily to bend her 
mind to entreaty, she could not help exclaiming after the ire- 
ful and retreating ship-chandler : Good Master, hear me but 
a moment! for mercy’s sake, for honesty’s sake!” 

Mercy and honesty from him, mistress!” said the Scot, 
who, though he essayed not to interrupt the retreat of his 
antagonist, still kept stout possession of the field of action ; 
“ye might as weel expect braody from bean-stalks, or milk 
from a craig of blue whunstane. The man is mad — horn mad, 
to boot.” 

“ I must have mistaken the person to whom the letter was 
addressed, then” ; and, as she spoke. Mistress Martha Trap- 
bois was in the act of stooping to lift the paper which had 
been so uncourteously received. Her companion, with natural 
civility, anticipated her purpose ; but, what was not quite so 
much in etiquette, he took a sly glance at it as he was about 
to hand it to her, and his eye having caught the subscription, 
he said, with surprise : “ Glenvarloch — Nigel Olifaunt of Glen- 
varloch! Do you know the Lord Glenvarloch, mistress?” 

know not of whom you speak,” said Mrs. Martha, peev- 
ishly. “I had that paper from one Master Nigel Gram.” 

“ Nigel Grahame ! — umph. Oh ay, very true — I had forgot, ” 
said the Scotsman. “ A tall, well-set young man, about my 
height; bright blue eyes like a hawk’s; a pleasant speech, 
something leaning to the kindly North-country accentuation, 
but not much, in respect of his having been resident abroad?” 

“All this is true; and what of it all?” said the daughter of 
the miser. 

“Hair of my complexion?” 

“Yours is red,” replied she. 

“ I pray you peace, ” said the Scotsman. “ I was going to 
say — of my complexion, but with a deeper shade of the chest- 
nut. Weel, mistress, if I have guessed the man aright, he is 
one with whom I am, and have been, intimate and familiar — 
nay, I may truly say I have done him much service in my 
time, and may live to do him more. T had indeed a sincere 
good-will for him, and I doubt he has been much at a loss 
since we parted; but the fault is not mine. Wherefore, as 


376 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


this letter will not avail you with him to whom it is directed, 
you may believe that Heaven hath sent it to me, who have a 
special regard for the writer. I have, besides, as much mercy 
and honesty within me as man can weel make his bread with, 
and am willing to aid any distressed creature, that is my 
friend’s friend, with my counsel, and otherwise, so that I am 
not put to much charges, being in a strange country, like a 
poor lamb that has wandered from its ain native hirsel, and 
leaves a tait of its woo’ in every d — d Southron bramble that 
comes across it.” While he spoke thus, he read the contents 
of the letter, without waiting for permission, and then con- 
tinued : “ And so this is all that you are wanting, my dove ! 
nothing more than safe and honourable lodging and suste- 
nance, upon your own charges?” 

^‘Nothing more,” said she. “If you are a man and a 
Christian, you will help me to what I need so much.” 

“A man I am,” replied the formal Caledonian, “e’en sic as 
ye see me; and a Christian I may call myseK, though un- 
worthy, and though I have heard little pure doctrine since I 
came hither — a’ polluted with men’s devices — ahem! Weel, 
an if ye be an honest woman (here he peeped under her 
muffler), as an honest woman ye seem likely to be — though, 
let me tell you, they are a kind of cattle not so rife in the 
streets of this city as I would desire them ; I was almost 
strangled with my own band by twa rampallians, wha wanted 
yestreen, nae farther gane, to harle me into a change-house — 
however, if ye be a decent honest woman (here he took an- 
other peep at features certainly bearing no beauty which could 
infer suspicion), as decent and honest ye seem to be, why, I 
will advise you to a decent house, where you will get douce, 
quiet entertainment, on reasonable terms, and the occasional 
benefit of my own counsel and direction — that is, from time 
to time, as my other avocations may permit.” 

“May I venture to accept of such an offer from a stranger?” 
said Martha, with natural hesitation. 

“Troth, I see nothing to hinder you, mistress,” replied the 
bonny Scot ; “ ye can but see the place, and do after as ye 
think best. Besides, we are nae such strangers, neither ; for 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


377 


I know your friend, and you, it’s like, know mine, whilk 
knowledge, on either hand, is a medium of communication 
between us, even as the middle of the string connecteth its 
twa ends or extremities. But I will enlarge on this farther 
as we pass along, gin ye list to bid your twa lazy loons of 
porters there lift up your little kist between them, whilk ae 
true Scotsman might carry under his arm. Let me tell you, 
mistress, ye will soon make a toom pock-end of it in Lon’on, 
if you hire twa knaves to do the work of ane. ” 

So saying, he led the way, followed by Mistress Martha 
Trapbois, whose singular destiny, though it had heaped her 
with wealth, had left her, for the moment, no wiser coun- 
sellor, or more distinguished protector, than honest Richie 
Moniplies, a discarded serving-man. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

This way lie safety and a sure retreat ; 

Yonder lie danger, shame, and punishment. 

Most welcome danger then. Nay, let me say, 

Though spoke with swelling heart, welcome e’en shame ; 

And welcome punishment ; for, call me guilty, 

I do but pay the tax that’s due to justice ; 

And call me guiltless, then that punishment 
Is shame to those alone who do inflict it. 

The Tribunal. 

We left Lord Glenvarloch, to whose fortunes our story 
chiefly attaches itself, gliding swiftly down the Thames. He 
was not, as the reader may have observed, very affable in his 
disposition, or apt to enter into conversation with those into 
whose company he was casually thrown. This was, indeed, 
an error in his conduct, arising less from pride, though of that 
feeling we do not pretend to exculpate him, than from a sort 
of bashful reluctance to mix in the conversation of those with 
whom he was not familiar. It is a fault only to be cured by 
experience and knowledge of the world, which soon teaches 
every sensible and acute person the important lesson that 
amusement, and, what is of more consequence, that informa- 


378 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


tioii and increase of knowledge, are to be derived from tbe 
conversation of every individual whatever, with whom he is 
thrown into a natural train of communication. For ourselves, 
we can assure the reader — and perhaps, if we have ever been 
able to afford him amusement, it is owing in a great degree to 
this cause — that we never found ourselves in company with 
the stupidest of all possible companions in a post-chaise, or 
with the most arrant cumber-corner that ever occupied a 
place in the mail-coach, without finding that, in the course of 
our conversation with him, we had some idea suggested to us, 
either grave or gay, or some information communicated in the 
course of our journey, which we should have regretted not to 
have learned, and which we should be sorry to have imme- 
diately forgotten. But Nigel was somewhat immured within 
the Bastile of his rank, as some philosopher (Tom Paine, we 
think) has happily enough expressed that sort of shyness 
which men of dignified situations are apt to be beset with, 
rather from not exactly knowing how far, or with whom, they 
ought to be familiar, than from any real touch of aristocratic 
pride. Besides, the immediate pressure of our adventurer’s 
own affairs was such as exclusively to engross his attention. 

He sat, therefore, wrapt in his cloak, in the stern of the 
boat, with his mind entirely bent upon the probable issue of 
the interview with his sovereign, which it was his purpose to 
seek; for which abstraction of mind he may be fully justified, 
although, perhaps, by questioning the watermen who were 
transporting him down the river, he might have discovered 
matters of high concernment to him. 

At any rate Nigel remained silent till the wherry approached 
the town of Greenwich, when he commanded the men to put 
in for the nearest landing-place, as it was his purpose to go 
ashore there, and dismiss them from further attendance. 

“That is not possible,” said the fellow with the green 
jacket, who, as we have already said, seemed to take on him- 
self the charge of pilotage. “We must go,” he continued, 
“to Gravesend, where a Scottish vessel, which dropt down 
the river last tide for the very purpose, lies with her anchor 
a-peak, waiting to carry you to your own dear Northern coun- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


379 


try. Your hammock is slung, and all is ready for you, and 
you talk of going ashore at Greenwich, as seriously as if such 
a thing were possible!” 

“I see no impossibility,” said Nigel, in your landing me 
where I desire to be landed ; but very little possibility of your 
carrying me anywhere I am not desirous of going.” 

Why, whether do you manage the wherry, or we, master?” 
asked Green- Jacket, in atone betwixt jest and earnest; “I 
take it she will go the way we row her.” 

“Ay,” retorted Nigel, “but I take it you will row her on 
the course I direct you, otherwise your chance of payment is 
but a poor one.” 

“ Suppose we are content to risk that, ” said the undaunted 
waterman, “ I wish to know how you, who talk so big — I mean 
no offence, master, but you do talk big — would help yourself 
in such a case?” 

“Simply thus,” answered Lord Glenvarloch. “You saw 
me, an hour since, bring down to the boat a trunk that neither 
of you could lift. If we are to contest the destination of our 
voyage, the same strength which tossed that chest into the 
wherry will suffice to fling you out of it ; wherefore, before we 
begin the scuffie, I pray you to remember that, whither I 
would go, there I will oblige you to carry me. ” 

“Gramercy for your kindness,” said Green- Jacket ; “and 
now mark me in return. My comrade and I are two men, 
and you, were you as stout as George-a- Green, can pass but 
for one ; and two, you will allow, are more than a match for 
one. You mistake in your reckoning, my friend.” 

“It is you who mistake,” answered Nigel, who began to 
grow warm. “ It is I who am three to two, sirrah : I carry 
two men’s lives at my girdle.” So saying, he opened his 
cloak and showed the two pistols which he had disposed at 
his girdle. 

Green- Jacket was unmoved at the display. “I have got,” 
said he, “ a pair of barkers that will match yours, ” and he 
showed that he also was armed with pistols ; “ so you may 
begin as soon as 3^011 list.” 

“ Then, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, drawing forth and cocking 


380 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


a pistol, the sooner the better. Take notice, I hold you as 
a ruffian, who have declared you will put force on iny person ; 
and that I will shoot you through the head if you do not 
instantly put me ashore at Greenwich.’’ 

The other waterman, alarmed at Nigel’s gesture, lay upon 
his oar j but Green- Jacket replied coolly : “ Look you, master, 
I should not care a tester to venture a life with you on this 
matter ; but the truth is, I am employed to do you good, and 
not to do you harm.” 

By whom are you employed?” said the Lord Glenvarloch ; 
“ or who dare concern themselves in me, or my affairs, with- 
out my authority?” 

“ As to that, ” answered the waterman, in the same tone of 
indifference, “ I shall not show my commission. For myself, 
I care not, as I said, whether you land at Greenwich to get 
yourself hanged, or go down to get aboard the ‘ Royal Thistle, ’ 
to make your escape to your own country j you will be equally 
out of my reach either way. But it is fair to put the choice 
before you.” 

“ My choice is made,” said Nigel. “ I have told you thrice 
already it is my pleasure to be landed at Greenwich.” 

“Write it on a piece of paper,” said the waterman, “that 
such is your positive will ; I must have something to show to 
my employers that the transgression of their orders lies with 
yourself, not with me.” 

“ I choose to hold this trinket in my hand for the present, ” 
said Nigel, showing his pistol, “ and will write you the ac- 
quittance when I go ashore.” 

“ I would not go ashore with you for a hundred pieces, ” 
said the waterman. “ Ill-luck has ever attended you, except 
in small gaming j do me fair justice, and give me the testi- 
mony I desire. If you are afraid of foul play while you write 
it, you may hold my pistols, if you will.” He offered the 
weapons to Nigel accordingly, who, while they were under his 
control, and all possibility of his being taken at advantage 
was excluded, no longer hesitated to give the waterman an 
acknowledgment, in the following terms : 

“ Jack in the Green, with his mate, belonging to the wherry 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


381 


called the ‘ Jolly Raven, ^ have done their duty faithfully b}" 
me, landing me at Greenwich by my express command; and 
being themselves willing and desirous to carry me on l 3 oard 
the ‘Royal Thistle,’ presently lying at Gravesend.” Having 
finished this acknowledgment, which he signed with the 
letters “N. 0. G.” as indicating his name and title, he again 
requested to know of the waterman to whom he delivered it 
the name of his employers. 

“Sir,” replied Jack in the Green, “I have respected your 
secret, do not you seek to pry into mine. It would do you no 
good to know for whom I am taking this present trouble ; and, 
to be brief, you shall not know it ; and, if you will fight in 
the quarrel, as you said even now, the sooner we begin the 
better. Only this you may be cock-sure of, that we designed 
you no harm, and that, if you fall into any, it will be of your 
own wilful seeking. ” As he spoke, they approached the land- 
ing-place, where Nigel instantly jumped ashore. The water- 
man placed his small mail-trunk on the stairs, observing, that 
there were plenty of spare hands about, to carry it where he 
would. 

“We part friends, I hope, my lads,” said the young noble- 
man, offering at the same time a piece of money more than 
double the usual fare to the boatmen. 

“We part as we met,” answered Green- Jacket; “and, for 
your money, I am paid sufficiently with this bit of paper. 
Only, if you owe me any love for the cast I have given you, I 
pray you not to dive so deep into the pockets of the next ap- 
prentice that you find fool enough to play the cavalier. And 
you, you greedy swine,” said he to his companion, who still 
had a longing eye fixed on the money which Nigel continued 
to offer, “ push off, or, if I take a stretcher in hand. I’ll break 
the knave’s pate of thee.” The fellow pushed off, as he was 
commanded, but still could not help muttering: “This was 
entirely out of waterman’s rules.” 

Glenvarloch, though without the devotion of the “ injured 
Thales” of the moralist to the memory of that great princess, 
had now attained 

The hallow’d soil which gave Eliza birth, 


382 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


whose halls were now less respectably occupied by her suc- 
cessor. It was not, as has been well shown by a late author, 
that Janies was void either of parts or of good intentions; 
and his predecessor was at least as arbitrary in effect as he 
was in theory. But, while Elizabeth possessed a sternness of 
masculine sense and determination which rendered even her 
weaknesses, some of which were in themselves sufficiently 
ridiculous, in a certain degree respectable, James, on the other 
hand, was so utterly devoid of “ firm resolve, ” so well called 
by the Scottish bard. 

The stalk of carle-hemp in man, 

that even his virtues and his good meaning became laughable, 
from the whimsical uncertainty of his conduct; so that the 
wisest things he ever said, and the best actions he ever did, 
were often touched with a strain of the ludicrous and fidgety 
character of the man. Accordingly, though at different 
periods of his reign he contrived to acquire with his people a 
certain degree of temporary popularity, it never long outlived 
the occasion which produced it ; so true it is, that the mass of 
mankind will respect a monarch stained with actual guilt more 
than one whose foibles render him only ridiculous. 

To return from this digression. Lord Glenvarloch soon 
received, as Green- Jacket had assured him, the offer of an idle 
bargeman to transport his baggage where he listed; but that 
where was a question of momentary doubt. At length, recol- 
lecting the necessity that his hair and beard should be properly 
arranged before he attempted to enter the royal presence, and 
desirous, at the same time, of obtaining some information of 
the motions of the sovereign and of the court, he desired to be 
guided to the next barber’s shop, which we have already men- 
tioned as the place where news of every kind circled and 
centred. He was speedily shown the way to such an emporium 
of intelligence, and soon found he was likely to hear all he 
desired to know, and much more, while his head was subjected 
to the art of a nimble tonsor, the glibness of whose tongue 
kept pace with the nimbleness of his fingers, while he ran on, 
without stint or stop, in the following excursive manner : 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


383 


“The court here, master? — yes, master — much to the ad- 
vantage of trade — good custom stirring. His Majesty loves 
Greenwich — hunts every morning in the Park — all decent 
persons admitted that have the entries of the palace — no 
rabble — frightened the King’s horse with their hallooing, the 
uncombed slaves. Yes, sir, the beard more peaked? Yes, 
master, so it is worn. I know the last cut — dress several of 
the courtiers — one valet of the chamber, two pages of the 
body, the clerk of the kitchen, three running footmen, two 
dog-boys, and an honourable Scottish knight. Sir Munko Mal- 
growler. ” 

“ Malagrowther, I suppose?” said Nigel, thrusting in his 
conjectural emendation, with infinite difficulty, betwixt two 
clauses of the barber’s text. 

“Yes, sir — Malcrowder, sir, as you say, sir — hard names 
the Scots have, sir, for an English mouth. Sir Munko is a 
handsome person, sir — perhaps you know him? — bating the 
loss of his fingers, and the lameness of his leg, and the 
length of his chin. Sir, it takes me one minute twelve 
seconds more time to trim that chin of his than any chin that 
I know in the town of Greenwich, sir. But he is a very 
comely gentleman for all that ; and a pleasant — a very pleas- 
ant gentleman, sir; and a good-humoured, saving that he is 
so deaf he can never hear good of any one, and so wise, that 
he can never believe it ; but he is a very good-natured gentle- 
man for all that, except when one speaks too low, or when a 
hair turns awry. Did I graze you, sir? -We shall put it to 
rights in a moment, with one drop of styptic —my styptic, or 
rather my wife’s, sir. She makes the water herself. One 
drop of the styptic, sir, and a bit of black taffeta patch, just 
big enough to be the saddle to a flea, sir. Yes, sir, rather 
improves than otherwise. The Prince had a patch the other 
day, and so had the Duke ; and, if you will believe me, there 
are seventeen yards three-quarters of black taffeta already cut 
into patches for the courtiers.” 

“ But Sir Mungo Malagrowther?” again interjected Nigel, 
with difficulty. 

“Ay, ay, sir — Sir Munko, as you say; a pleasant, good- 


384 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


humoured gentleman as ever To be spoken with, did 

you say? Oh ay, easily to bespoken withal, that is, as easily 
as his infirmity will permit. He will presently, unless some 
one hath asked him forth to breakfast, be taking his bone of 
broiled beef at my neighbour Ned Kilderkin’s yonder, re- 
moved from over the way. Ned keeps an eating-house, sir, 
famous for pork-griskins ; but Sir Munko cannot abide pork, 
no more than the King’s most sacred Majesty,^ nor my Lord 
Duke of Lennox, nor Lord Dalgarno — nay, I am sure, sir, if 
I touched you this time, it was your fault, not mine. But a 
single drop of the styptic, another little patch that would make 
a doublet for a flea, just under the left mustachio; it will be- 
come you when you smile, sir, as well as a dimple ; and if you 
would salute your fair mistress — but I beg pardon, you are a 
grave gentleman, very grave to be so young. Hope I have 
given no offence; it is my duty to entertain customers — my 
duty, sir, and my pleasure. Sir Munko Malcrowther? Yes, 
sir, I dare say he is at this moment in Ned’s eating-house, for 
few folks ask him out, now Lord Huntinglen is gone to Lon- 
don. You will get touched again. Yes, sir, there you shall 
find him with his can of single ale, stirred with a sprig of 
rosemary, for he never drinks strong potations, sir, unless to 
oblige Lord Huntinglen — take heed, sir — or any other person 
who asks him forth to breakfast ; but single beer he always 
drinks at Ned’s, with his broiled bone of beef or mutton — or, 
it may be, lamb at the season; but not pork, though Ned is 
famous for his griskins. But the Scots never eat pork — 
strange that! some folk think they are a sort of Jews. There 
is a resemblance, sir. Do you not think so? Then they call 
our most gracious sovereign the second Solomon, and Solomon, 
you know, was king of the Jews; so the thing bears a face, 
you see. I believe, sir, you will find youself trimmed now to 
your content. I will be judged by the fair mistress of your 
affections. Crave pardon — no offence, I trust. Pray, consult 
the glass. One touch of the crisping-tongs to reduce this 
straggler. Thank your munificence, sir; hope your custom 
while you stay in Greenwich. Would you have a tune on that 
1 See Scots’ Dislike to Pork. Note 30. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


386 


ghittern, to put your temper in concord for the day? Twang, 
twang — twang, twang, diUo. Something out of tune, sir — 
too many hands to touch it — we cannot keep these things like 
artists. Let me help you with your cloak, sir — yes, sir. 
You would not play yourself, sir, would you? Way to Sir 
Munko’s eating-house? Yes, sir; but it is Ned’s eating- 
house, not Sir Munko’s. The knight, to be sure, eats there, 
and that makes it his eating-house in some sense, sir — ha, 
ha! Yonder it is, removed from over the way, new white- 
washed posts, and red lattice — fat man in his doublet at the 
door — Ned himself, sir — worth a thousand pounds, they say; 
better singeing pigs’ faces than trimming courtiers, but ours 
is the less mechanical vocation. Farewell, sir; hope your 
custom.” So saying, he at length permitted Nigel to depart, 
whose ears, so long tormented with his continued babble, 
tingled when it had ceased, as if a bell had been rung close to 
them for the same space of time. 

Upon his arrival at the eating-house, where he proposed to 
meet with Sir Mungo Malagrowther, from whom, in despair 
of better advice, he trusted to receive some information as to 
the best mode of introducing himself into the royal presence. 
Lord Glenvarloch found, in the host with whom he communed, 
the consequential taciturnity of an Englishman well to pass in 
the world. Ned Kilderkin spoke as a banker writes, only 
touching the needful. Being asked if Sir Mungo Mala- 
growther was there? he replied, “No.” Being interrogated 
whether he was expected? he said, “Yes.” And being again 
required to say when he was expected, he answered, “ Pres- 
ently. ” As Lord Glenvarloch next inquired whether he him- 
self could have any breakfast? the landlord wasted not even 
a syllable in reply, but, ushering him into a neat room where 
there were several tables, he placed one of them before an 
arm-chair, and beckoning Lord Glenvarloch to take posses- 
sion, he set before him, in a very few minutes, a substantial 
repast of roast-beef, together with a foaming tankard, to which 
refreshment the keen air of the river disposed him, notwith- 
standing his mental embarrassments, to do much honour. 

While Nigel was thus engaged in discussing his commons, 
25 


386 


WAYERLEY NOVELS. 


but raising his head at the same time whenever he heard the 
door of the apartment open, eagerly desiring the arrival of Sir 
Mungo Malagrowther (an event which had seldom been ex- 
pected by any one with so much anxious interest), a person- 
age, as it seemed, of at least equal importance with the 
knight, entered into the apartment, and began to hold earnest 
colloquy with the publican, who thought proper to carry on 
the conference on his side unbonneted. This important gen- 
tleman’s occupation might be guessed from his dress. A 
milk-white jerkin, and hose of white kersey; a white apron 
twisted around his body in the manner of a sash, in which, 
instead of a warlike dagger, was stuck a long-bladed knife, 
hilted with buck’s-horn; a white nightcap on his head, under 
which his hair was neatly tucked, sufficiently portrayed him 
as one of those priests of Comus whom the vulgar call cooks ; 
and the air with which he rated the publican for having ne- 
glected to send some provisions to the palace showed that he 
ministered to royalty itself. 

“ This will never answer, ” he said, “ Master Kilderkin ; the 
King twice asked for sweetbreads and fricasseed coxcombs, 
which are a favourite dish of his most sacred Majesty, and 
they were not to be had, because Master Kilderkin had not 
supplied them to the clerk of the kitchen, as by bargain 
bound.” Here Kilderkin made some apology, brief, accord- 
ing to his own nature, and muttered in a lowly tone after the 
fashion of all who find themselves in a scrape. His superior 
replied, in a lofty strain of voice : “ Do not tell me of the 
carrier and his wain, and of the hen-coops coming from Nor- 
folk with the poultry ; a loyal man would have sent an express 
— he would have gone upon his stumps, like Widdrington. 
What if the King had lost his appetite. Master Kilderkin? 
What if his most sacred Majesty had lost his dinner? Oh, 
Master Kilderkin, if you had but the just sense of the dignity 
of our profession, which is told of by the witty African slave, 
for so the King’s most excellent Majesty designates him, 
Publius Terentius, Tanquam in speculo, in patinas inspicere 
jubeo.^’ 

“ You are learned. Master Linklater, ” replied the English 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


387 


publican, compelling, as it were ’w ith difficulty, bis mouth to 
utter three or four words consecutively. 

“A poor smatterer,’^ said Mr. Linklater; “but it would be 
a shame to us, who are his most excellent Majesty^s country- 
men, not in some sort to have cherished those arts wherewith 
he is so deeply embued. Regis ad exemplar, Master Kilder- 
kin, totus componitur orhis; which is as much as to say, as the 
King quotes the cook learns. In brief. Master Kilderkin, 
having had the luck to be bred where humanities may be had 
at the matter of an English five groats by the quarter, I, like 
others, have acquired — ahem — hem!” Here, the speaker’s 
eye having fallen upon Lord Glenvarloch, he suddenly stopped 
in his learned harangue, with such symptoms of embarrass- 
ment as induced Ned Kilderkin to stretch his taciturnity so 
far as not only to ask him what he ailed, but whether he 
would take anything. 

“ Ail nothing, ” replied the learned rival of the philosophical 
Syrus — “ nothing — and yet I do feel a little giddy. I could 
taste a glass of your dame’s aqua mirabilis.” 

“I will fetch it,” said Ned, giving a nod; and his back was 
no sooner turned than the cook walked near the table where 
Lord Glenvarloch was seated, and regarding him with a look 
of significance, where more was meant than met the ear, said : 
“ You are a stranger in Greenwich, sir. I advise you to 
take the opportunity to step into the Park ; the western wicket 
was ajar when I came hither; I think it will be locked pres- 
ently, so you had better make the best of your way — that is, 
if you have any curiosity. The venison are coming into season 
just now, sir, and there is a pleasure in looking at a hart of 
grease. I always think when they are bounding so blythely 
past, what a pleasure it would be to broach their plump 
haunches on a spit, and to embattle their breasts in a noble 
fortification of puff-paste, with plenty of black pepper.” 

He said no more, as Kilderkin re-entered with the cordial, 
but edged off from Nigel without waiting any reply, only 
repeating the same look of intelligence with which he had 
accosted him. 

Nothing makes men’s wits so alert as personal danger. 


388 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Nigel took the first opportunity which his host’s attention to 
the yeoman of the royal kitchen permitted to discharge his 
reckoning, and readily obtained a direction to the wicket in 
question. He found it upon the latch, as he had been taught 
to expect; and perceived that it admitted him to a narrow 
footpath, which traversed a close and tangled thicket, designed 
for the cover of the does and the young fawns. Here he con- 
jectured it would be proper to wait; nor had he been station- 
ary above five minutes, when the cook, scalded as much with 
heat of motion as ever he had been at his huge fireplace, 
arrived almost breathless, and with his pass-key hastily locked 
the wicket behind him. 

Ere Lord Glenvarloch had time to speculate upon this 
action, the man approached with anxiety, and said: ‘^Good 
lord, my Lord Glenvarloch, why will you endanger yourself 
thus?” 

“ You know me then, my friend?” said Nigel. 

“Not much of that, my lord; but I know your honour’s 
noble house well. My name is Laurie Linklater, my lord.” 

“Linklater!” repeated Nigel. “ I should recollect ” 

“Under your lordship’s favour,” he continued, “I was 
’prentice, my lord, to old Mungo Moniplies, the flesher at the 
wanton West Port of Edinburgh, which I wish I saw again 
before I died. And your honour’s noble father having taken 
Richie Moniplies into his house to wait on your lordship, there 
was a sort of connexion, your lordship sees.” 

“Ah!” said Lord Glenvarloch, “I had almost forgot your 
name, but not your kind purpose. You tried to put Richie in 
the way of presenting a supplication to his Majesty?” 

“Most true, my lord,” replied the king’s cook. “I had 
like to have come by mischief in the job; for Richie, who 
was always wilful, ‘wadna be guided by me,’ as the sang says. 
But nobody amongst these brave English cooks can kittle up 
his Majesty’s most sacred palate with our own gusty Scottish 
dishes. So I e’en betook myself to my craft, and concocted 
a mess of friar’s chicken for the soup, and a savoury hachis, 
that made the whole cabal coup the crans; and, instead of 
disgrace, I came by preferment. I am one of the clerks of 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


389 


the kitchen now, make me thankful! with a finger in the 
purveyor’s office, and may get my whole hand in by and 
by.” 

“ I am truly glad,” said Nigel, “to hear that you have not 
suffered on my account — still more so at your good fortune.” 

“ You bear a kind heart, my lord, ” said Linklater, “ and do 
not forget poor people ; and, troth, I see not why they should 
be forgotten, since the king’s errand may sometimes fall in 
the cadger’s gate. I have followed your lordship in the 
street, just to look at such a stately shoot of the old oak-tree; 
and my heart jumped into my throat when I saw you sitting 
openly in the eating-house yonder, and knew there was such 
danger to your person.” 

“What! there are warrants against me, then?” said Nigel. 

“ It is even true, my lord ; and there are those are willing to 
blacken you as much as they can. God forgive them, that 
would sacrifice an honourable house for their own base ends !” 

“Amen,” said Nigel. 

“ For, say your lordship may have been a little wild, like 
other young gentlemen ” 

“We have little time to talk of it, my friend,” said Nigel. 
“ The point in question is, how am I to get speech of the King?” 

The King, my lord!” said Linklater, in astonishment; 
“why, will not that be rushing wilfully into danger? — scald- 
ing yourself, as I may say, with your own ladle?” 

“My good friend,” answered Nigel, “my experience of the 
court, and my knowledge of the circumstances in which I 
stand, tell me that the manliest and most direct road is, in 
my case, the surest and the safest. The King has both a 
head to apprehend what is just and a heart to do what is kind.” 

“It is e’en true, my lord, and so we, his old servants, 
know,” added Linklater; “but, woe’s me, if you knew how 
many folks make it their daily and nightly purpose to set his 
head against his heart, and his heart against his head: to 
make him do hard things because they are called just, and 
unjust things because they are represented as kind. Woe’s 
me! it is with his sacred Majesty and the favourites who work 
upon him even according to the homely proverb that men 


300 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


taunt my calling with, ‘God sends good meat, but the devil 
sends cooks. ’ ” 

“ It signifies not talking of it, my good friend,’^ said Nigel, 
“I must take my. risk j my honour peremptorily demands it. 
They may maim me or beggar me, but they shall not say I fled 
from my accusers. My peers shall hear my vindication. 

“Your peers!” exclaimed the cook. “ Alack-a-day, my 
lord, we are not in Scotland, where the nobles can bang it out 
bravely, were it even with the King himself, now and then. 
This mess must be cooked in the Star Chamber, and that is 
an oven seven times heated, my lord ; and yet, if you are de- 
termined to see the King, I will not say but you may find 
some favour, for he likes well anything that is appealed 
directly to his own wisdom, and sometimes, in the like cases, 
I have known him stick by his own opinion, which is always 
a fair one. Only mind, if you will forgive me, my lord — 
mind to spice high with Latin ; a curn or two of Greek would 
not be amiss j and, if you can bring in anything about the 
judgment of Solomon, in the original Hebrew, and season 
with a merry jest or so, the dish will be the more palatable. 
Truly I think that, besides my skill in art, I owe much to the 
stripes of the rector of the High School, who imprinted on my 
mina that cooking scene in the Heautontimorumenos.^^ 

“Leaving that aside, my friend,” said Lord Glenvarloch, 
“ can you inform me which way I shall most readily get to 
the sight and speech of the King?” 

“ To the sight of him readily enough, ” said Linklater ; “ he 
is galloping about these alleys, to see them strike the hart, 
to get him an appetite for a nooning — and that reminds me, 
I should be in the kitchen. To the speech of the King you 
will not come so easily, unless you could either meet him 
alone, which rarely chances, or wait for him among the crowd 
that go to see him alight. And now, farewell, 1113^ lord, and 
God speed! If I could do more for you, I would offer it.” 

“You have done enough, perhaps, to endanger yourself,” 
said Lord Glenvarloch. “ I pray you to be gone, and leave 
me to my fate. ” 

The honest cook lingered, but a nearer burst of the horns 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


391 


apprised him that there was no time to lose ; and, acquaint- 
ing Nigel that he would leave the postern door on the latch 
to secure his retreat in that direction, he bade God bless him, 
and farewell. 

In the kindness of this humble countryman, flowing partly 
from national partiality, partly from a sense of long-remem- 
bered benefits, which had been scarce thought on by those 
who had bestowed them. Lord Glenvarloch thought he saw the 
last touch of sympathy which he was to receive in this cold 
and courtly region, and felt that he must now be sufficient to 
himself or be utterly lost. 

He traversed more than one alley, guided by the sounds of 
the chase, and met several of the inferior attendants upon 
the King’s sport, who regarded him only as one of the spec- 
tators who were sometimes permitted to enter the Park by 
the concurrence of the officers about the court. Still there 
was no appearance of James or any of his principal courtiers, 
and Nigel began to think whether, at the risk of incurring 
disgrace similar to that which had attended the rash exploit 
of Richie Moniplies, he should not repair to the palace gate, 
in order to address the King on his return, when Fortune pre- 
sented him the opportunity of doing so, in her own way. 

He was in one of those long walks by which the Park was 
traversed, when he heard, first a distant rustling, then the 
rapid approach of hoofs shaking the firm earth on which he 
stood, then a distant halloo, warned by which he stood up by 
the side of the avenue, leaving free room for the passage of 
the chase. The stag, reeling, covered with foam, and black- 
ened with sweat, his nostrils expanded as he gasped for breath, 
made a shift to come up as far as where Nigel stood, and, 
without turning to bay, was there pulled down by two tall 
greyhounds of the breed stiU used by the hardy deer-stalkers 
of the Scottish Highlands, but which has been long unknown 
in England. One dog struck at the buck’s throat, another 
dashed his sharp nose and fangs, I might almost say, into the 
animal’s bowels. It would have been natural for Lord Glen- 
varloch, himself persecuted as if by hunters, to have thought 
upon the occasion like the melancholy Jacques; but habit is 


392 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


a strange matter, and I fear that his feelings on the occasion 
were rather those of the practised huntsman than of the mor- 
alist. He had no time, however, to indulge them, for mark 
what befell. 

A single horseman followed the chase, upon a steed so thor- 
oughly subjected to the rein that it obeyed the touch of the 
bridle as if it had been a mechanical impulse operating on the 
nicest piece of machinery ; so that, seated deep in his demi- 
pique saddle, and so trussed up there as to make falling al- 
most impossible, the rider, without either fear or hesitation, 
might increase or diminish the speed at which he rode, which, 
even on the most animating occasions of the chase, seldom ex- 
ceeded three-fourths of a gallop, the horse keeping his haunches 
under him, and never stretching forward beyond the managed 
pace of the academy. The security with which he chose to 
prosecute even this favourite, and, in the ordinary case, some- 
what dangerous, amusement, as well as the rest of his equi- 
page, marked King James. No attendant was within sight; 
indeed, it was often a nice strain of flattery to permit the 
sovereign to suppose he had outridden and distanced all the 
rest of the chase. 

^‘Weel dune. Bash — weel dune. Battle!” he exclaimed, as 
he came up. ‘‘ By the honour of a king, ye are a credit to the 
Braes of Bal whither ! Hand my horse, man, ” he called out 
to Nigel, without stopping to see to whom he had addressed 
himself — “ hand my naig, and help me doun out o^ the sad- 
dle; deil ding your saul, sirrah, canna ye mak haste before 
these lazy smaiks come up? Haud the rein easy — dinna let 
him swerve — now, haud the stirrup; that will do, man, and 
now we are on terra So saying, without casting an 

eye on his assistant, gentle King Jamie, unsheathing the 
short, sharp hanger {couteau de chasse)^ which was the only 
thing approaching to a sword that he could willingly endure 
the sight of, drew the blade with great satisfaction across the 
throat of the buck, and put an end at once to its struggles 
and its agonies. 

Lord Glenvarloch, who knew well the silvan duty which the 
occasion demanded, hung the bridle of the King’s palfrey on 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


393 


the branch of a tree, and, kneeling duteously down, turned 
the slaughtered deer upon its back, and kept the quarree in 
that position, while the King, too intent upon his sport to 
observe anything else, drew his couteau down the breast of the 
animal secundum artem ; and, having made a cross cut, so as 
to ascertain the depth of the fat upon the chest, exclaimed, 
in a sort of rapture : “ Three inches of white fat on the brisket ! 
— prime — prime — as I am a crowned sinner ; and deil ane o' 
the lazy loons in but mysell! Seven — aught — aught tines on 
the antlers. By G — d, a hart of aught tines, and the first of 
the season! Bash and Battie, blessings on the heart' s-root of 
ye! Buss me, my bairns — buss me." The dogs accordingly 
fawned upon him, licked him with bloody jaws, and soon put 
him in such a state that it might have seemed treason had 
been doing its fell work upon his anointed body. ^^Bide 
doun, with a mischief to ye — bide doun, with a wanion, " cried, 
the King, almost overturned by the obstreperous caresses of 
the large stag-hounds. “ But ye are just like ither folks, gie 
ye an inch and ye take an ell. And wha may ye be, friend?" 
he said, now finding leisure to take a nearer view of Nigel, 
and observing what in his first emotion of silvan delight had 
escaped him. Ye are nane of our train, man. In the name 
of God, what the devil are ye?" 

“ An unfortunate man, sire, " replied Nigel. 

“ I dare say that, " answered the King, snappishly, or I 
wad have seen naething of you. My lieges keep a' their hap- 
piness to themselves; but let bowls row wrang wi' them, I 
am sure to hear of it." 

“ And to whom else can we carry our complaints but to your 
Majesty, who is Heaven's vicegerent over us?" answered 
Nigel. 

“Right, man, right — very weel spoken," said the King; 
^‘but you should leave Heaven's vicegerent some quiet on 
earth too." 

“If your Majesty will look on me," for hitherto the King 
had been so busy, first with the dogs, and then with the mys- 
tic operation of “breaking," in vulgar phrase, cutting up, 
the deer, that he had scarce given his assistant above a tran- 


394 


WAYERLEY NOVELS. 


sient glance, *‘you will see whom necessity makes bold to 
avail himself of an opportunity which may never again 
occur. ” 

King James looked; his blood left his cheek, though it con- 
tinued stained with that of the animal which lay at his feet, 
he dropped the knife from his hand, cast behind him a falter- 
ing eye, as if he either meditated flight or looked out for as- 
sistance, and then exclaimed: Glenvarlochides ! as sure as 
I was christened James Stuart. Here is a bonny spot of 
work, and me alone, and on foot too!” he added, bustling to 
get upon his horse. 

“Forgive me that I interrupt you, my liege,” said Nigel, 
placing himself between the King and the steed ; “ hear me 
but a moment!” 

“ I’ll hear ye best on horseback,” said the King. “ I canna 
hear a word on foot, man — not a word; and it is not seemly 
to stand cheek-for-chowl confronting us that gate. Bide out 
of our gate, sir, we charge you on your allegiance. The deil’s 
in them a’, what can they be doing?” 

“By the crown which you wear, my liege,” said Nigel, 
“ and for which my ancestors have worthily fought, I conjure 
you to be composed, and to hear me but a moment!” 

That which he asked was entirely out of the monarch’s 
power to grant. The timidity which he showed was not the 
plain downright cowardice which, like a natural impulse, com- 
pels a man to flight and which can excite little but pity or 
contempt, but a much more ludicrous, as well as more mingled, 
sensation. The poor king was frightened at once and angry, 
desirous of securing his safety, and at the same time ashamed 
to compromise his dignity ; so that, without attending to what 
Lord Glenvarloch endeavoured to explain, he kept making at 
his horse, and repeating: “We are a free king, man — we are 
a free king; we will not be controlled by a subject. In the 
name of God, what keeps Steenie? And, praised be His 
name! they are coming. Hillo, ho — here, here — Steenie, 
Steenie!” 

The Duke of Buckingham galloped up, followed by several 
courtiers and attendants of the royal chase, and commenced 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


395 


with his usual familiarity : I see Fortune has graced our 
dear dad, as usual. But what’s this?” 

“ What is it? It is treason for what I ken,” said the King; 
“ and a’ your wyte, Steenie. Your dear dad and gossip might 
have been murdered, for what you care.” 

“Murdered! Secure the villain!” exclaimed the duke. 
“ By Heaven, it is Olifaunt himself!” A dozen of the hunters 
dismounted at once, letting their horses run wild through 
the Park. Some seized roughly on Lord Glenvarloch, who 
thought it folly to offer resistance, while others busied them- 
selves with the King. “Are you wounded, my liege — are 
you wounded?” 

“Not that I ken of,” said the King, in the paroxysm of his 
apprehension, which, by the way, might be pardoned in one 
of so timorous a temper, and who, in his time, had been ex- 
posed to so many strange attempts — “ not that I ken of ; but 
search him — search him. I am sure I saw firearms under his 
cloak. I am sure I smelled powder — I am doom sure of that. ” 

Lord Glenvarloch’ s cloak being stripped off, and his pistols 
discovered, a shout of wonder and of execration on the sup- 
posed criminal purpose arose from the crowd now thicken- 
ing every moment. Not that celebrated pistol which, though 
resting on a bosom as gallant and as loyal as Nigel’s, spread 
such causeless alarm among knights and dames at a late high 
solemnity — not that very pistol caused more temporary conster- 
nation than was so groundlessly excited by the arms which 
were taken from Lord Glenvarloch’ s person; and not Mhic- 
Allastar-More ’ himself could repel with greater scorn and in- 
dignation the insinuations that they were worn for any sinister 
purposes. 

Away with the wretch — the parricide — the bloody-minded 
villain!” was echoed on all hands; and the King, who natu- 
rally enough set the same value on his own life at which it 
was, or seemed to be, rated by others, cried out, louder than 
all the rest : “ Ay — ay, away with him. I have had enough 
of him, and so has the country. But do him no bodily harm ; 
and, for God’s sake, sirs, if ye are sure that ye have thor- 
» See Note 31. 


396 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


ougMy disarmed him, put up your swords, dirks, and skenes, 
for you will certainly do each other a mischief. ” 

There was a speedy sheathing of weapons at the King’s 
command; for those who had hitherto been brandishing them 
in loyal bravado began thereby to call to mind the extreme 
dislike which his Majesty nourished against naked steel — a 
foible which seemed to be as constitutional as his timidity, 
and was usually ascribed to the brutal murder of Rizzio hav- 
ing been perpetrated in his unfortunate mother’s presence 
before he yet saw the light. 

At this moment, the Prince, who had been hunting in a 
different part of the then extensive Park, and had received 
some hasty and confused information of what was going for- 
ward, came rapidly up, with one or two noblemen in his train, 
and amongst others Lord Dalgarno. He sprung from his 
horse, and asked eagerly if his father were wounded. 

“ Not that I am sensible of. Baby Charles ; but a wee matter 
exhausted, with struggling single-handed with the assassin. 
Steenie, fill us a cup of wine — the leathern bottle is hanging 
at our pommel. Buss me, then. Baby Charles,” continued 
the monarch, after he had taken this cup of comfort. ^ “ O 

man, the Commonwealth and you have had a fair escape from 
the heavy and bloody loss of a dear father ; for we are ;pateT 
patrice as weel as pater familias. Quis desiderio sit pudor aut 
modus tarn cari capitis ! Woe is me, black cloth would have 
been dear in England, and dry een scarce!” 

And, at the very idea of the general grief which must have 
attended his death, the good-natured monarch cried heartily 
himself. 

^‘Is this possible?” said Charles, sternly; for his pride was 
hurt at his father’s demeanour on the one hand, while, on the 
other, he felt the resentment of a son and a subject at the 
supposed attempt on the King’s life. “Let some one speak 
who has seen what happened. My Lord of Buckingham!” 

“I cannot say, my lord,” replied the Duke, “that I saw 
any actual violence offered to his Majesty, else I should have 
avenged him on the spot. ” 

* See King James’s Hunting-Bottle. Note 32. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


397 


“ You would Lave done wrong, then, in your zeal, George, ” 
answered the Prince ; “ such offenders were better left to be 
dealt with by the laws. But was the villain not struggling 
with his Majesty?^’ 

“ I cannot term it so, my lord, ” said the Duke, who, with 
many faults, would have disdained an untruth. He seemed 
to desire to detain his Majesty, who, on the contrary, ap- 
peared to wish to mount his horse ; but they have found pis- 
tols on his person, contrary to the proclamation, and, as it 
proves to be Nigel Olifaunt, of whose ungoverned disposition 
your Royal Highness has seen some samples, we seem to be 
justified in apprehending the worst.’* 

Nigel Olifaunt!” said the Prince; “can that unhappy 
man so soon have engaged in a new trespass? Let me see 
those pistols.” 

“Ye are not so unwise as to meddle with such snap-haunces. 
Baby Charles?” said James. “ Do not give him them, Steenie 
— I command you on your allegiance. They may go off of 
their own accord, whilk often befalls. You will do it, then? 
Saw e’er man sic wilful bairns as we are cumbered with! 
Havena we guardsmen and soldiers enow, but you must unload 
the weapons yoursell — you, the heir of our body and digni- 
ties, and sae mony men around that are paid for venturing 
life in our cause?” 

But, without regarding his father’s exclamations. Prince 
Charles, with the obstinacy which characterised him in trifles 
as well as matters of consequence, persisted in unloading the 
pistols with his own hand of the double bullets with which 
each was charged. The hands of all around were held up in 
astonishment at the horror of the crime supposed to have been 
intended, and the escape which was presumed so narrow. 

Nigel had not yet spoken a word ; he now calmly desired 
to he heard. 

“To what purpose?” answered the Prince, coldly. “You 
knew yourself accused of a heavy offence, and, instead of ren- 
dering yourself up to justice, in terms of the proclamation, 
you are here found intruding yourself on his Majesty’s pres- 
ence, and armed with unlawful weapons.” 


398 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“May it please you, sir,’’ answered Nigel, “I wore these 
unhappy weapons for my own defence ; and not very many 
hours since they were necessary to protect the lives of others. ” 

“ Doubtless, my lord, ” answered the Prince, still calm and 
unmoved, “your late mode of life, and the associates with 
whom you have lived, have made you familiar with scenes 
and weapons of violence. But it is not to me you are to 
plead your cause. ” 

“Hear me — hear me, noble prince!” said Nigel, eagerly. 
“ Hear me ! You — even you yourself — may one day ask to be 
heard, and in vain.” 

“ How, sir, ” said the Prince, haughtily — “ how am I to con- 
strue that, my lord?” 

“ If not on earth, sir, ” replied the prisoner, “ yet to Heaven 
we must all pray for patient and favourable audience.” 

“ True, my lord, ” said the Prince, bending his head with 
haughty acquiescencce ; “ nor would I now refuse such audi- 
ence to you, could it avail you. But you shall suffer no 
wrong. We will ourselves look into your case.” 

“Ay — ay,” answered the King, “he hath made 
ad Ccesarem : we will interrogate Glenvarlochides ourselves, 
time and place fitting ; and, in the mean while, have him and 
his weapons away, for I am weary of the sight of them.” 

In consequence of directions hastily given, Nigel was ac- 
cordingly removed from the presence, where, however, his 
words had not altogether fallen to the ground. ’ “ This is a 

most strange matter, George, ” said the Prince to the favour- 
ite ; “ this gentleman hath a good countenance, a happy pres- 
ence, and much calm firmness in his look and speech. I can- 
not think he would attempt a crime so desperate and useless.” 

“ I profess neither love nor favour to the young man, ” an- 
swered Buckingham, whose high-spirited ambition bore always 
an open character ; “ but I cannot but agree with your High- 
ness, that our dear gossip hath been something hasty in appre- 
hending personal danger from him. ” ^ 

“By my saul, Steen ie, ye are not blate, to say so!” said 

’ See Scene in Greenwich Park. Note 33. 

* See King James’s Timidity. Note 34. 


THE FORTUITES OF NIGEL. 


399 


the King. “ Do I not ken the smell of pouther, think ye? 
Who else nosed out the Fifth of November, save our royal 
selves? Cecil, and Sulfolk, and all of them were at fault, 
like sae mony mongrel tykes, when I puzzled it out ; and trow 
ye that I cannot smell pouther? Why, ’sblood, man, Joannes 
Barclaius thought my ingine was in some measure inspiration, 
and terms his history of the plot Series patefacti divinitus 
parricidii ; and Spondanus, in like manner, saith of us, Di- 
vinitus evasity 

“The land was happy in your Majesty’s escape,” said the 
Duke of Buckingham, “ and not less in the quick wit which 
tracked that labyrinth of treason by so fine and almost invis- 
ible a clue.” 

“ Saul, man, Steenie, ye are right ! There are few youths 
have sic true judgment as you respecting the wisdom of their 
elders ; and as for this f ause, traitorous smaik, I doubt he is 
a hawk of the same nest. Saw ye not something Papistical 
about him? Let them look that he bears not a crucifix or 
some sic Roman trinket about him. ” 

“ It would iU become me to attempt the exculpation of this 
unhappy man,” said Lord Dalgarno, “considering the height 
of his present attempt, which has made all true men’s blood 
curdle in their veins. Yet I cannot avoid intimating, with 
all due submission to his Majesty’s infallible judgment, in 
justice to one who showed himself formerly only my enemy, 
though he now displays himself in much blacker colours, that 
this Olifaunt always appeared to me more as a Puritan than 
as a Papist.” 

“Ah, Dalgarno, art thou there, man?” said the King. 
“ And ye behoved to keep back, too, and leave us to our own 
natural strength and the care of Providence when we were in 
grips with the villain!” 

“Providence, may it please your most gracious Majesty, 
would not fail to aid, in such a strait, the care of three weep- 
ing kingdoms, ” said Lord Dalgarno. 

“ Surely, man — surely, ” replied the King ; “ but a sight of 
your father, with his long whinyard, would have been a 
blythe matter a short while syne ; and in future we will aid 


400 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


the ends of Providence in our favour by keeping near us two 
stout beef-eaters of the guard. And so this Olifaunt is a 
Puritan? not the less like to be a Papist for all that, for ex- 
tremities meet, as the scholiast proveth. There are, as I have 
proved in my book, Puritans of Papistical principles : it is 
just a new tout on an auld horn.^’ 

Here the King was reminded by the Prince, who dreaded 
perhaps that he was going to recite the whole Basilicon Doron, 
that it would be best to move towards the palace, and consider 
what was to be done for satisfying the public mind, in whom 
the morning’s adventure was likely to excite much specula- 
tion. As they entered the gate of the palace, a female bowed 
and presented a paper, which the King received, and, with 
a sort of groan, thrust it into his side pocket. The Prince 
expressed some curiosity to know its contents. “ The valet 
in waiting will tell you them, ” said the King, “ when I strip 
off my cassock. D’ye think. Baby, that I can read all that 
is thrust into my hands? See to me, man (he pointed to the 
pockets of his great trunk breeches, which were stuffed with 
papers). We are like an ass — that we should so speak! — 
stooping betwixt two burdens. Ay — ay, Asinus fortis accum- 
hens inter terminos^ as the Vulgate hath it. Ay, ay, Vidi 
terram quod esset optima, et stcpposui humerum ad portandum, 
et factus sum tributis serviens — I saw this land of England, 
and became an overburdened king thereof. ” 

“You are indeed well loaded, my dear dad and gossip,” 
said the Duke of Buckingham, receiving the papers which 
King James emptied out of his pockets. 

“Ay — ay,” continued the monarch; “take them to you 
per aversionem, bairns — the one pouch stuffed with petitions, 
t’other with pasquinadoes ; a fine time we have on’t. On my 
conscience, I believe the tale of Cadmus was hieroglyphical, 
and that the dragon’s teeth whilk he sowed were the letters 
he invented. Ye are laughing. Baby Charles? Mind what 
I say. When I came here first frae our ain country, where 
the men are as rude as the weather, by my conscience, Eng- 
land was a bieldy bit : one would have thought the King had 
little to do but to walk by quiet waters — per aquam refectio- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


401 


nis. But, I kenna how or why, the place is sair changed — 
read that libel upon us and on our regimen. The dragon^ s 
teeth are sown. Baby Charles ; I pray God they bearna their 
armed harvest in your day, if I suld not live to see it. God 
forbid I should, for there will be an awful day’s kemping at 
the sharing of them.” 

shall know how to stifle the crop in the blade — ha, 
George?” said the Prince, turning to the favourite with a look 
expressive of some contempt of his father’s apprehensions, and 
full of confidence in the superior firmness and decision of his 
own counsels. 

While this discourse was passing, Nigel, in charge of a 
pursuivant-at-arms, was pushed and dragged through the 
small town, all the inhabitants of which, having been alarmed 
by the report of an attack on the King’s life, now pressed 
forward to see the supposed traitor. Amid the confusion of 
the moment, he could descry the face of the victualler, ar- 
rested into a stare of stolid wonder, and that of the barber 
grinning betwixt horror and eager curiosity. He thought 
that he also had a glimpse of his waterman in the green jacket. 

He had no time for remarks, being placed in a boat with 
the pursuivant and two yeomen of the guard, and rowed up 
the river as fast as the arms of six stout watermen could pull 
against the tide. They passed the groves of masts which even 
then astonished the stranger with the extended commerce of 
London, and now approached those low and blackened walls of 
curtain and bastion which exhibit here and there a piece of 
ordnance, and here and there a solitary sentinel under arms, 
but have otherwise so little of the military terrors of a citadel. 
A projecting low-browed arch, which had loured over many 
an innocent and many a guilty head, in similar circumstances, 
now spread its dark frowns over that of Nigel. ’ The boat was 
put close up to the broad steps against which the tide was lap- 
ping its lazy wave. The warder on duty looked from the wicket, 
and spoke to the pursuivant in whispers. In a few minutes 
the lieutenant of the Tower appeared, received, and granted 
an acknowledgment for the body of Nigel Lord Glenvarloch. 

^ See Traitor’s Gate. Note 35. 


26 


402 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Ye towers of Julius ! London’s lasting shame ; 

With many a foul and midnight murder fed ! 

Gray. 

Such is the exclamation of Gray. Bandello, long before 
him, has said something like it; and the same sentiment 
must, in some shape or other, have frequently occurred to 
those who, remembering the fate of other captives in that 
memorable state prison, may have had but too much reason 
to anticipate their own. The dark and low arch, which 
seemed, like the entrance to Dante’s Hell, to forbid hope of 
regress; the muttered sounds of the warders, and petty for- 
malities observed in opening and shutting the grated wicket; 
the cold and constrained salutation of the lieutenant of the 
fortress, who showed his prisoner that distant and measured 
respect which authority pays as a tax to decorum — all struck 
upon Nigel’s heart, impressing on him the cruel consciousness 
of captivity. 

I am a prisoner, ” he said, the words escaping from him 
almost unawares — ‘‘I am a prisoner, and in the Tower!” 

The lieutenant bowed. “ And it is my duty, ” he said, “ to 
show your lordship your chamber, where, I am compelled to 
say, my orders are to place you under some restraint. I will 
make it as easy as my duty permits.” 

Nigel only bowed in return to this compliment, and followed 
the lieutenant to the ancient buildings on the western side of 
the parade, and adjoining to the chapel, used in those days as 
a state prison, but in ours as the mess-room of the ofi&cers of 
the guard upon duty at the fortress. The double doors were 
unlocked ; the prisoner ascended a few steps, followed by the 
lieutenant and a warder of the higher class. They entered a 
large, but irregular, low-roofed, and dark apartment, exhibit- 
ing a very scanty proportion of furniture. The warder had 
orders to light a fire and attend to Lord Glenvarloch’s com- 
mands in all things consistent with his duty ; and the lieuteii- 


THE l ORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


403 


ant, having made his reverence with the customary compli- 
ment that, “ He trusted his lordship would not long remain 
under his guardianship,” took his leave. 

Nigel would have asked some questions of the warder, who 
remained to put the apartment into order, but the man had 
caught the spirit of his office. He seemed not to hear some 
of the prisoner’s questions, though of the most ordinary kind, 
did not reply to others, and when he did speak, it was in a 
short and sullen tone, which, though not positively disre- 
spectful, was such as at least to encourage no farther commu- 
nication. 

Nigel left him, therefore, to do his work in silence, and 
proceeded to amuse himself with the melancholy task of de- 
ciphering the names, mottoes, verses, and hieroglyphics with 
which his predecessors in captivity had covered the walls of 
their prison-house. There he saw the names of many a for- 
gotten sufferer, mingled with others which will continue in 
remembrance until English history shall perish. There were 
the pious effusions of the devout Catholic, poured forth on the 
eve of his sealing his profession at Tyburn, mingled with those 
of the firm Protestant, about to feed the fires of Smithfield. 
There the slender hand of the unfortunate Jane Grey, whose 
fate was to draw tears from future generations, might be con- 
trasted with the bolder touch which impressed deep on the 
walls the bear and ragged staff, the proud emblem of the 
proud Dudleys. It was like the roll of the prophet, a record 
of lamentation and mourning, and yet not unmixed with brief 
interjections of resignation, and sentences expressive of the 
firmest resolution.* 

In the sad task of examining the miseries of his predeces- 
sors in captivity. Lord Glenvarloch was interrupted by the 
sudden opening of the door of his prison-room. It was the 
warder, who came to inform him that, by order of the lieuten- 
ant of the Tower, his lordship was to have the society and 
attendance of a fellow-prisoner in his place of confinement. 
Nigel replied hastily, that he wished no attendance, and would 
rather be left alone; but the warder gave him to understand, 

1 See Memorials of Illustrious Criminals. Note 36. 


404 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


witli a kind of grumbling civility, that the lieutenant was the 
best judge how his prisoners should be accommodated, and 
that he would have no trouble with the boy, who was such 
a slip of a thing as was scarce worth turning a key upon. 
“ There, Giles, ” he said, bring the child in. ” 

Another warder put the ‘‘ lad before him’’ into the room, 
and, both withdrawing, bolt crashed and chain clanged as they 
replaced these ponderous obstacles to freedom. The boy was 
clad in a grey suit of the finest cloth, laid down with silver 
lace, with a buff-coloured cloak of the same pattern. His 
cap, which was a montero of black velvet, was pulled over 
his brows, and, with the profusion of his long ringlets, almost 
concealed his face. He stood on the very spot where the 
warder had quitted his collar, about two steps from the door 
of the apartment, his eyes fixed on the ground, and every 
joint trembling with confusion and terror. Nigel could well 
have dispensed with his society, but it was not in his nature 
to behold distress, whether of body or mind, without endeav- 
ouring to relieve it. 

“Cheer up,” he said, “my pretty lad. We are to be com- 
panions, it seems, for a little time — at least I trust your con- 
finement will be short, since you are too young to have done 
aught to deserve long restraint. Come — come, do not be dis- 
couraged. Your hand is cold and trembles, the air is warm 
too — but it may be the damp of this darksome room. Place 
you by the fire. What! weeping-ripe, my little man? I 
pray you, do not be a child. You have no beard yet, to be 
dishonoured by your tears, but yet you should not cry like 
a girl. Think you are only shut up for playing truant, and 
you can pass a day without weeping, surely.” 

The boy suffered himself to be led and seated by the fire, 
but, after retaining for a long time the very posture which he 
assumed in sitting down, he suddenly changed it in order to 
wring his hands with an air of the bitterest distress, and 
then, spreading them before his face, wept so plentifully that 
the tears found their way in floods through his slender fingers. 

Nigel was in some degree rendered insensible to his own 
situation by his feelings for the intense agony by which so 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


405 


young and beautiful a creature seemed to be utterly over- 
whelmed; and, sitting down close beside the boy, he applied 
the most soothing terms which occurred, to endeavour to alle- 
viate his distress ; and, with an action which the difference of 
their age rendered natural, drew his hand kindly along the 
long hair of the disconsolate child. The lad appeared so shy 
as even to shrink from this slight approach to familiarity; 
yet when Lord Glenvarloch, perceiving and allowing for his 
timidity, sat down on the farther side of the fire, he appeared 
to be more at his ease, and to hearken with some apparent in- 
terest to the arguments which from time to time Nigel used, 
to induce him to moderate, at least, the violence of his grief. 
As the boy listened, his tears, though they continued to flow 
freely, seemed to escape from their source more easily, his 
sobs were less convulsive, and became gradually changed into 
low sighs, which succeeded each other, indicating as much 
sorrow, perhaps, but less alarm, than his first transports had 
shown. 

“ Tell me who and what you are, my pretty boy, ” said 
Nigel. “ Consider me, child, as a companion, who wishes to 
be kind to you, would you but teach him how he can be so.” 

“ Sir — my lord, I mean, ” answered the boy, very timidly, 
and in a voice which could scarce be heard even across the 
brief distance which divided them, you are very good — and I 
— am very unhappy ” 

A second fit of tears interrupted what else he had intended 
to say, and it required a renewal of Lord Glenvarloch’ s good- 
natured expostulations and encouragements to bring him once 
more to such composure as rendered the lad capable of ex- 
pessing himself intelligibly. At length, however, he was able 
to say : I am sensible of your goodness, my lord, and grate- 
ful for it; but I am a poor, unhappy creature, and, what is 
worse, have myself only to thank for my misfortunes.” 

We are seldom absolutely miserable, my young acquaint- 
ance,” said Nigel, “without being ourselves more or less re- 
sponsible for it. I may well say so, otherwise I had not been 
here to-day ; but you are very young, and can have but little 
to answer for.” 


406 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ Oh sir ! I wish I could say so. I have been self-willed and 
obstinate — and rash and ungovernable— and now — now, how 
dearly do I pay the price of it!’^ 

“Pshaw, my boy,’^ replied Nigel; “this must be some 
childish frolic — some breaking out of bounds — some truant 
trick. And yet how should any of these have brought you 
to the Tower? There is something mysterious about you, 
young man, which I must inquire into. 

“Indeed — indeed, my lord, there is no harm about me,” 
said the boy, more moved, it would seem, to confession by 
the last words, by which he seemed considerably alarmed, 
than by all the kind expostulations and arguments which 
Nigel had previously used. “ 1 am innocent — that is, I have 
done wrong, but nothing to deserve being in this frightful 
place. ” 

“Tell me the truth, then,” said Nigel, in a tone in which 
command mingled with encouragement; “you have nothing 
to fear from me, and as little to hope, perhaps ; yet, placed 
as I am, I would know with whom I speak.” 

“ With an unhappy — boy, sir — and idle and truantly dis- 
posed, as your lordship said,” answered the lad, looking up 
and showing a countenance in which paleness and blushes suc- 
ceeded each other, as fear and shamefacedness alternately had 
influence. “ I left my father’s house without leave, to see the 
King hunt in the Park at Greenwich; there came a cry of 
'Treason,’ and aU the gates were shut. I was frightened, and 
hid myself in a thicket, and I was found by some of the rang- 
ers and examined — and they said I gave no good account of 
myseK — and so I was sent hither.” 

“ I am an unhappy — a most unhappy being, ” said Lord Glen- 
varloch, rising and walking through the apartment : “ nothing 
approaches me but shares my own bad fate ! Death and im- 
prisonment dog my steps, and involve all who are found near 
me. Yet this boy’s story sounds strangely. You say you 
were examined, my young friend. Let me pray you to say 
whether you told your name, and your means of gaining ad- 
mission into the Park; if so, they surely would not have de- 
tained you?” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


407 


“ Oh. my lord, ’’ said the boy, I took care not to tell them the 
name of the friend that let me in ; and as to my father — I would 
not he knew where I now am for all the wealth in London!” 

“But you do not expect,” said Nigel, “that they will dis- 
miss you till you let them know who and what you are?” 

“ What good will it do them to keep so useless a creature as 
myself?” said the boy; “they must let me go, were it but out 
of shame.” 

“ Do not trust to that. Tell me your name and station ; I 
will communicate them to the lieutenant; he is a man of 
quality and honour, and will not only be willing to procure 
your liberation, but also, I have no doubt, will intercede with 
your father. I am partly answerable for such poor aid as I 
can afford, to get you out of this embarrassment, since I occa- 
sioned the alarm owing to which you were arrested; so tell 
me your name and your father’s name.” 

“ My name to you ? Oh never — never!” answered the boy, 
m a tone of deep emotion, the cause of which Nigel could not 
comprehend. 

“ Are you so much afraid of me, young man, ” he replied, 
“ because ! am here accused and a prisoner? Consider, a man 
may be both and deserve neither suspicion nor restraint. Why 
should you distrust me? You seem friendless, and I am my- 
seK so much in the same circumstances that I cannot but pity 
your situation when I reflect on my own. Be wise ; I have 
spoken kindly to you, I mean as kindly as I speak.” 

“ Oh, I doubt it not — I doubt it not, my lord,” said the boy, 
“and I could tell you all — that is, almost all.” 

“ Tell me nothing, my young friend, excepting what may 
assist me in being useful to you,” said Nigel. 

“You are generous, my lord,” said the boy; “and I am 
sure — oh sure, I might safely trust to your honour. But yet 
but yet I am so sore beset. I have been so rash, so un- 
guarded — I can never tell you of my folly. Besides, I have 
already told too much to one whose heart I thought I had 
moved — yet I find myself here.” 

“ To whom did you make this disclosure?” said Nigel. 

“ I dare not tell,” replied the youth. 


408 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


There is something singular about you, my young friend, ” 
said Lord Glenvaiioch, withdrawing with a gentle degree of 
compulsion the hand with which the boy had again covered 
his eyes j “ do not pain yourself with thinking on your situa- 
tion just at present. Your pulse is high, and your hand fe- 
verish; lay yourself on yonder pallet, and try to compose 
yourself to sleep. It is the readiest and best remedy for the 
fancies with which your are worrying yourself.” 

“ I thank you for your considerate kindness, my lord, ” said 
the boy ; “ with your leave, I will remain for a little space 
quiet in this chair : I am better thus than on the couch. I 
can think undisturbedly on what I have done, and have still 
to do ; and if God sends slumber to a creature so exhausted, 
it shall be most welcome.” 

So saying, the boy drew his hand from Lord Nigeks, and, 
drawing around him and partly over his face the folds of his 
ample cloak, he resigned himself to sleep or meditation, while 
his companion, notwithstanding the exhausting scenes of this 
and the preceding day, continued his pensive walk up and 
down the apartment. 

Every reader has experienced that times occur when, far 
from being lord of external circumstances, man is unable to 
rule even the wayward realm of his own thoughts. It was 
NigePs natural wish to consider his own situation coolly, and 
fix on the course which it became him as a man of sense and 
courage to adopt ; and yet, in spite of himself, and notwith- 
standing the deep interest of the critical state in which he 
was placed, it did so happen that his feUow-prisoner’s situa- 
tion occupied more of his thoughts than did his own. There 
was no accounting for this wandering of the imagination, but 
also there was no striving with it. The pleading tones of one 
of the sweetest voices he had ever heard still rung in his ear, 
though it seemed that sleep had now fettered the tongue of 
the speaker. He drew near on tiptoe to satisfy himself whether 
it were so. The folds of the cloak hid the lower part of his 
face entirely ; but the bonnet, which had fallen a little aside, 
permitted him to see the forehead streaked with blue veins, 
the closed eyes, and the long silken eyelashes. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


409 


^‘Poor child,” said Nigel to himself, as he looked on him, 
nestled up as it were in the folds of his mantle, “ the dew is 
yet on thy eyelashes, and thou hast fairly wept thyself asleep. 
Sorrow is a rough nurse to one so young and delicate as thou 
art. Peace be to thy slumbers, I will not disturb them. My 
own misfortunes require my attention, and it is to their con- 
templation that I must resign myself.” 

He attempted to do so, but was crossed at every turn by 
conjectures which intruded themselves as before, and which 
all regarded the sleeper rather than himself. He was angry 
and vexed, and expostulated with himself concerning the over- 
weening interest which he took in the concerns of one of whom 
he knew nothing, saving that the boy was forced into his 
company, perhaps as a spy, by those to whose custody he was 
committed j but the spell could not be broken, and the thoughts 
which he struggled to dismiss continued to haunt him. 

Thus passed half an hour or more; at the conclusion of 
which the harsh sound of the revolving bolts was again heard, 
and the voice of the warder announced that a man desired to 
speak with Lord Glenvarloch. “A man to speak with me, 
under my present circumstances! Who can it be?” And 
John Christie, his landlord of PauPs Wharf, resolved his 
doubts by entering the apartment. 

^‘Welcome — most welcome, mine honest landlord!” said 
Lord Glenvarloch. How could I have dreamt of seeing you 
in my present close lodgings?” And at the same time, with 
the frankness of old kindness, he walked up to Christie and 
offered his hand ; but John started back as from the look of 
a basilisk. 

“Keep your courtesies to yourself, my lord,” said he, 
gruffly ; “ I have had as many of them already as may serve 
me for my life.” 

“Why, Master Christie,” said Nigel, “what means this? 
I trust I have not offended you?” 

“Ask me no questions, my lord,” said Christie, bluntly. 
“I am a man of peace : I came not hither to wrangle with 
you at this place and season. Just suppose that I am well 
informed of all the obligements from your honour’s nobleness, 


410 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


and then acquaint me, in as few words as may be, where is 
the unhappy woman. What have you done with her?” 

“What have I done with her!” said Lord Glenvarloch. 
“Done with whom? I know not what you are speaking of.” 

“Oh yes, my lord,” said Christie; ‘‘play surprise as well 
as you will, you must have some guess that I am speaking of 
the poor fool that was my wife, till she became your lordship’s 
light o’ love.” 

“Your wife! Has your wife left you? and, if she has, do 
you come to ask her of me?” 

“ Yes, my lord, singular as it may seem,” returned Christie, 
in a tone of bitter irony, and with a sort of grin widely dis- 
cording from the discomposure of his features, the gleam of 
his eye, and the froth which stood on his lip, “ I do come to 
make that demand of your lordship. Doubtless, you are sur- 
prised I should take the trouble ; but, I cannot tell, great men 
and little men think differently. She has lain in my bosom 
and drunk of my cup, and, such as she is, I cannot forget 
that, though I will never see her again ; she must not starve, 
my lord, or do worse to gain bread, though I reckon your 
lordship may think I am robbing the public in trying to change 
her courses.” 

“ By my faith as a Christian, by my honour as a gentle- 
man, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ if aught amiss has chanced 
with your wife, I know nothing of it. I trust in Heaven you 
are as much mistaken in imputing guilt to her as in supposing 
me her partner in it.” 

“ Fie ! fie ! my lord, ” said Christie, “ why will you make it 
so tough? She is but the wife of a clod-pated old chandler, 
who was idiot enough to marry a wench twenty years younger 
than himself. Your lordship cannot have more glory by it 
than you have had already ; and, as for advantage and solace, 
I take it Dame Nelly is now unnecessary to your gratification. 
I should be sorry to interrupt the course of your pleasure : 
an old wittol should have more consideration of his condition. 
But, your precious lordship being mewed up here among othei 
choice jewels of the kingdom. Dame Nelly cannot, I take it, 
be admitted to share the hours of dalliance which ” Here 


THE FORTUNES OF NTGEL. 


411 


the incensed husband stammered, broke off his tone of irony, 
and proceeded, striking his staff against the ground : “ Oh that 
these false limbs of yours, which I wish had been hamstrung 
when they first crossed my honest threshold, were free from 
the fetters they have well deserved! I would give you the 
odds of your youth, and your weapon, and would bequeath 
my soul to the foul fiend if I, with this piece of oak, did not 
make you such an example to all ungrateful, pick-thank cour- 
tiers that it should be a proverb to the end of time how John 
Christie swaddled his wife’s fine leman!” 

understand not your insolence,” said Nigel, “ but I for- 
give it, because you labour under some strange delusion. In 
so far as I can comprehend your vehement charge, it is en- 
tirely undeserved on my part. You seem to impute to me the 
seduction of your wifej I trust she is innocent. For me, at 
least, she is as innocent as an angel in bliss. I never thought 
of her — never touched her hand or cheek, save in honourable 
courtesy. ” 

“Oh ay — courtesy! that is the very word. She always 
praised your lordship’s honourable courtesy. Ye have cozened 
me between ye, with your courtesy. My lord — my lord, you 
came to us no very wealthy man, you know it. It was for no 
lucre of gain I took you and your swashbuckler, your Don 
Diego yonder, under my poor roof. I never cared if the little 
room were let or no : I could live without it. If you could 
not have paid for it, you should never have been asked. All 
the wharf knows John Christie has the means and spirit to do 
a kindness. When you first darkened my honest doorway, 
I was as happy as a man need to be, who is no youngster, 
and has the rheumatism. Nelly was the kindest and best- 
humoured wench — we might have a word now and then about 
a gown or a ribbon, but a kinder soul on the whole, and a 
more careful, considering her years, till you came — and what 
is she now ! But I will not be a fool to cry, if I can help it. 
What she is, is not the question, but where she is ; and that 
I must learn, sir, of you.” 

“How can you, when I tell you,” replied Nigel, “that I am 
as ignorant as yourself, or rather much more so? Till this 


412 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


moment, I never heard of any disagreement betwixt your 
dame and you.” 

That is a lie, ” said John Christie, bluntly. 

^‘How, you base villain!” said Lord Glenvarloch, ^‘do you 
presume on my situation? If it were not that I hold you 
mad, and perhaps made so by some wrong sustained, you 
should find my being weaponless were no protection : I would 
beat your brains out against the wall.” 

“Ay — ay,” answered Christie, “bully as ye list. Ye have 
been at the ordinaries, and in Alastia, and learned the ruffian’s 
rant, I doubt not. But I repeat, you have spoken an untruth, 
when you said you knew not of my wife’s falsehood; for, 
when you were twitted with it among your gay mates, it was 
a common jest among you, and your lordship took all the 
credit they would give you for your gallantry and gratitude. ” 

There was a mixture of truth in this part of the charge 
which disconcerted Lord Glenvarloch exceedingly; for he 
could not, as a man of honour, deny that Lord Dalgarno and 
others had occasionally jested with him on the subject of 
Dame Nelly, and that, though he had not played exactly le 
fanfaron des vices qu^il n^ avoit pas, he had not at least been 
sufficiently anxious to clear himself of the suspicion of such 
a crime to men who considered it as a merit. It was there- 
fore with some hesitation, and in a sort of qualifying tone, 
that he admitted that some idle jests had passed upon such a 
supposition, although without the least foundation in truth. 

John Christie would not listen to his vindication any longer. 
“ By your own account, ” he said, “ you permitted lies to be 
told of you in jest. How do I know you are speaking truth, 
now you are serious? You thought it, I suppose, a fine thing 
to wear the reputation of having dishonoured an honest fam- 
ily ; who will not think that you had real grounds for your 
base bravado to rest upon? I will not believe otherwise for 
one, and therefore, my lord, mark what I have to say. You 
are now yourself in trouble. As you hope to come through 
it safely, and without loss of life and property, tell me where 
this unhappy woman is. Tell me, if you hope for Heaven; 
tell me, if you fear Hell; tell me, as you would not have the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


413 


curse of an utterly ruined woman and a broken-hearted man 
attend you through life, and bear witness against you at the 
Great Day which shall come after death. You are moved, 
my lord, I see it. I cannot forget the wrong you have done 
me. I cannot even promise to forgive it ; but — tell me, and 
you shall never see me again, or hear more of my reproaches.” 

‘^Unfortunate man,” said Lord Glenvarlocch, “you have 
said more — far more than enough to move me deeply. Were 
I at liberty, I would lend you my best aid to search out him 
who has wronged you, the rather that I do suspect my having 
been your lodger has been in some degree the remote cause of 
bringing the spoiler into the sheepfold.” 

“I am glad your lordship grants me so much,” said John 
Christie, resuming the tone of embittered irony with which 
he had opened the singular conversation ; “ I will spare you 
farther reproach and remonstrance ; your mind is made up, 
and so is mine. So ho, warder!” The warder entered, and 
John went on : “I want to get out, brother. Look well to 
your charge : it were better that half the wild beasts in their 
dens yonder were turned loose upon Tower Hill than that this 
same smooth-faced, civil-spoken gentleman were again re- 
turned to honest men’s company!” 

So saying, he hastily left the apartment; and Nigel had 
full leisure to lament the waywardness of his fate, which 
seemed never to tire of persecuting him for crimes of which 
he was innocent, and investing him with the appearances of 
guilt which his mind abhorred. He could not, however, help 
acknowledging to himself that all the pain which he might 
sustain from the present accusation of John Christie was so 
far deserved, from his having suffered himself, out of vanity, 
or rather an unwillingness to encounter ridicule, to be sup- 
posed capable of a base inhospitable crime, merely because 
fools called it an affair of gallantry; and it was no balsam to 
the wound, when he recollected what Richie had told him of 
his having been ridiculed behind his back by the gallants of 
the ordinary for affecting the reputation of an intrigue which 
he had not in reality spirit enough to have carried on. His 
simulation had, in a word, placed him in the unlucky predica- 


414 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


ment of being rallied as a braggart amongst the dissipated 
youths, with whom the reality of the amour would have given 
him credit ; whilst, on the other hand, he was branded as an 
inhospitable seducer by the injured husband, who was obsti- 
nately persuaded of his guilt. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

How fares the man on whom good men would look 
With eyes where scorn and censure combated, 

But that kind Christian love hath taught the lesson — 

That they who merit most contempt and hate 
Do most deserve our pity. 

Old Play. 

It might have seemed natural that the visit of John Christie 
should have entirely diverted NigePs attention from his slum- 
bering companion, and, for a time, such was the immediate 
effect of the chain of new ideas which the incident introduced ; 
yet, soon after the injured man had departed. Lord Glenvar- 
loch began to think it extraordinary that the boy should have 
slept so soundly while they talked loudly in his vicinity. Yet 
he certainly did not appear to have stirred. Was he well — 
was he only feigning sleep? He went close to him to make 
his observations, and perceived that he had wept, and was 
still weeping, though his eyes were closed. He touched him 
gently on the shoulder; the boy shrunk from his touch, but 
did not awake. He pulled him harder, and asked him if he 
was sleeping. 

“ Do they waken folk in your country to know whether they 
are asleep or no?” said the boy, in a peevish tone. 

‘^No, my young sir,” answered Nigel; ‘‘but when they 
weep in the manner you do in your sleep, they awaken them 
to see what ails them.” 

“ It signifies little to any one what ails me, ” said the boy. 

“ True, ” replied Lord Glenvarloch ; “ but you knew before 
you went to sleep how little I could assist you in your diffi- 
culties, and you seemed disposed, notwithstanding, to put 
some confidence in me.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


415 


If I did, I have changed my mind, ” said the lad. 

“ And what may have occasioned this change of mind, I 
trow?” said Lord Glenvarloch. “Some men speak through 
their sleep ; perhaps you have the gift of hearing in it?” 

“ No, but the Patriarch Joseph never dreamt truer dreams 
than I do.” 

“Indeed!” said Lord Glenvarloch. “And, pray, what 
dream have you had that has deprived me of your good opin- 
ion; for that, I think, seems the moral of the matter?” 

“ You shall judge yourself, ” answered the boy. “ I dreamed 
I was in a wild forest, where there was a cry of hounds, and 
winding of horns, exactly as I heard in Greenwich Park.” 

“ That was because you were in the Park this morning, you 
simple child,” said Nigel. 

“ Stay, my lord, ” said the youth. “ I went on in my dream, 
till, at the top of a broad green alley, I saw a noble stag which 
had fallen into the toils ; and methought I knew that he was 
the very stag which the whole party were hunting, and that, 
if the chase came up, the dogs would tear him to pieces, or 
the hunters would cut his throat ; and I had pity on the gal- 
lant stag, and though I was of a different kind from him, and 
though I was somewhat afraid of him, I thought I would ven- 
ture something to free so stately a creature ; and I pulled out 
my knife, and just as I was beginning to cut the meshes of 
the net the animal started up in my face in the likeness of a 
tiger, much larger and fiercer than any you may have seen in 
the ward of the wild beasts yonder, and was just about to tear 
me limb from limb when you awaked me.” 

“Methinks,” said Nigel, “I deserved more thanks than I 
have got for rescuing you from such a danger by waking you. 
But, my pretty master, methinks all this tale of a tiger and a 
stag has little to do with your change of temper towards 
me.” 

“ I know not whether it has or no, ” said the lad ; “ but I 
will not tell you who I am.” 

“ You will keep your secret to yourself then, peevish boy,” 
said Nigel, turning from him, and resuming his walk through 
the room; then stopping suddenly, he said: “And yet you 


416 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


shall not escape from me without knowing that I penetrate 
your mystery.” 

^^My mysteiy I” said the youth, at once alarmed and irri- 
tated. ‘‘What mean you, my lord?” 

“ Only that I can read your dream without the assistance 
of a Chaldean interpreter, and my exposition is — that my fair 
companion does not wear the dress of her sex.” 

“And if I do not, my lord,” said his companion, hastily 
starting up and folding her cloak tight around her, “my 
dress, such as it is, covers one who will not disgrace it.” 

“ Many would call that speech a fair challenge, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch, looking on her fixedly ; “ women do not masquer- 
ade in men’s clothes to make use of men’s weapons.” 

“ I have no such purpose, ” said the seeming boy. “ I have 
other means of protection, and powerful; but I would first 
know what is your purpose.” 

“An honourable and a most respectful one,” said Lord 
Glenvarloch ; “ whatever you are — whatever motive may have 
brought you into this ambiguous situation, I am sensible — 
every look, word, and action of yours makes me sensible — that 
you are no proper subject of importunity, far less of ill-usage. 
What circumstances can have forced you into so doubtful a 
situation, I know not ; but I feel assured there is, and can be, 
nothing in them of premeditated wrong, which should expose 
you to cold-blooded insult. From me you have nothing to 
dread.” 

“ I expected nothing less from your nobleness, my lord, ” 
answered the female ; “ my adventure, though I feel it was 
both desperate and foolish, is not so very foolish, nor my 
safety here so utterly unprotected, as at first sight, and in 
this strange dress, it may appear to be. I have suffered 
enough, and more than enough, by the degradation of having 
been seen in this unfeminine attire, and the comments you 
must necessarily have made on my conduct ; but I thank God 
that I am so far protected that I could not have been subjected 
to insult unavenged.” 

When this extraordinary explanation had proceeded thus 
far, the warder appeared, to place before Lord Glenvarloch a 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


417 


meal which, for his present situation, might be called comfort- 
able, and which, if not equal to the cookery of the celebrated 
Chevalier Beaujeu, was much superior in neatness and cleanli- 
ness to that of Alsatia. A warder attended to do the honours 
of the table, and made a sign to the disguised female to rise 
and assist him in his functions. But Nigel, declaring that he 
knew the youth’s parents, interfered, and caused his compan- 
ion to eat along with him. She consented with a sort of em- 
barrassment which rendered her pretty features yet more in- 
teresting. Yet she maintained with a natural grace that sort 
of good-breeding which belongs to the table ; and it seemed to 
Nigel, whether already prejudiced in her favour by the extra- 
ordinary circumstances of their meeting, or whether really 
judging from what was actually the fact, that he had seldom 
seen a yormg person comport herself with more decorous pro- 
priety, mixed with ingenuous simplicity ; while the conscious- 
ness of the peculiarity of her situation threw a singular colour- 
ing over her whole demeanour, which could be neither said to 
be formal, nor easy, nor embarrassed, but was compounded of, 
and shaded with, an interchange of all these three character- 
istics. Wine was placed on the table, of which she could not 
be prevailed on to taste a glass. Their conversation was, of 
course, limited by the presence of the warder to the business 
of the table; but Nigel had, long ere the cloth was removed, 
formed the resolution, if possible, of making himself master 
of this young person’s history, the more especially as he now 
began to think that the tones of her voice and her features 
were not so strange to him as he had originally supposed. 
This, however, was a conviction which he adopted slowly, and 
only as it dawned upon him from particular circumstances 
during the course of the repast. 

At length the prison-meal was finished, and Lord Glenvar- 
loch began to think how he might most easily enter upon the 
topic he meditated, when the warder announced a visitor. 

“Soh!” said Nigel, something displeased, “I find even a 
prison does not save one from importunate visitations.” 

He prepared to receive his guest, however, while his alarmed 
companion flew to the large cradle-shaped chair which had first 
27 


418 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


served her as a place of refuge, drew her cloak around her, 
and disposed herself as much as she could to avoid observation. 
She had scarce made her arrangements for that purpose when 
the door opened, and the worthy citizen, George Heriot, entered 
the prison- chamber. 

He cast around the apartment his usual sharp, quick glance 
of observation, and, advancing to Nigel, said: ^‘My lord, I 
wish I could say I was happy to see you.” 

The sight of those who are unhappy themselves. Master 
Heriot, seldom produces happiness to their friends. I, how- 
ever, am glad to see you.” 

He extended his hand, but Heriot bowed with much formal 
complaisance, instead of accepting the courtesy, which in those 
times, when the distinction of ranks was much guarded by eti- 
quette and ceremonj^, was considered as a distinguished favour. 

“ You are displeased with me. Master Heriot, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch, reddening, for he was not deceived by the worthy 
citizen^s affectation of extreme reverence and respect. 

By no means, my lord, ” replied Heriot ; “ but I have been 
in France, and have thought it as well to import, along with 
other more substantial articles, a small sample of that good- 
breeding which the French are so renowned for.” 

“It is not kind of you,” said Nigel, “to bestow the lirst use 
of it on an old and obliged friend. ” 

Heriot only answered to this observation with a short dry 
cough, and then proceeded. 

“Hem! hem! — I say, ahem! My lord, as my French po- 
liteness may not carry me far, I would willingly know whether 
I am to speak as a friend, since your lordship is pleased to 
term me such; or whether I am, as befits my condition, to 
confine myself to the needful business which must be treated 
of between us.” 

“ Speak as a friend by all means. Master Heriot, ” said 
Nigel; “I perceive you have adopted some of the numerous 
prejudices against me, if not all of them. Speak out, and 
frankly — what I cannot deny I will at least confess.” 

“ And I trust, my lord, redress, ” said Heriot. 

“ So far as is in my power, certainly,” answered Nigel. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


419 


Ah ! my lord, ” continued Heriot, ‘‘ that is a melancholy 
though a necessary restriction ; for how lightly may any one 
do an hundred times more than the degree of evil which it 
may be within his power to repair to the sufferers and to 
society ! But we are not alone here, ” he said, stopping, and 
darting his shrewd eye towards the muffled figure of the dis- 
guised maiden, whose utmost efforts had not enabled her so 
to adjust her position as altogether to escape observation. 

More anxious to prevent her being discovered than to keep 
his own affairs private, Nigel hastily answered: “ ’Tis a page 
of mine; you may speak freely before him. He is of France, 
and knows no English.” 

“ I am then to speak freely, ” said Heriot, after a second 
glance at the chair ; perhaps my words may be more free 
than welcome.” 

“Go on, sir,” said Nigel; “I have told you I can bear re- 
proof. ” 

“ In one word, then, my lord, why do I find you in this 
place, and whelmed with charges which must blacken a name 
rendered famous by ages of virtue?” 

“Simply, then, you find me here,” said Nigel, “because, 
to begin from my original error, I would be wiser than my 
father.” 

“It was a difflcult task, my lord,” replied Heriot: “your 
father was voiced generally as the wisest and one of the brav- 
est men of Scotland.” 

“He commanded me,” continued Nigel, “to avoid all gam- 
bling; and I took upon me to modify this injunction into regu- 
lating my play according to my skill, means, and the course 
of my luck.” 

“Ay, self -opinion, acting on a desire of acquisition, my 
lord; you hoped to touch pitch and not to be defiled,” an- 
swered Heriot. “ WeU, my lord, you need not say, for I have 
heard with much regret, how far this conduct diminished yonr 
reputation. Your next error I may without scruple remind you 
of. My lord — my lord, in whatever degree Lord Dalgarno may 
have failed towards you, the son of his father should have been 
sacred from your violence.” 


420 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ You speak in cold blood, Master Heriot, and I was smart- 
ing under a thousand wrongs inflicted on me under the mask 
of friendship.” 

“ That is, he gave your lordship bad advice, and you ” 

said Heriot. 

“Was fool enough to follow his counsel,” answered Nigel. 
“ But we will pass this. Master Heriot, if you please. Old 
men and young men, men of the sword and men of peaceful 
occupation, always have thought, always will think, different- 
ly on such subjects.” 

“ I grant, ” answered Heriot, “ the distinction between the 
old goldsmith and the young nobleman ; still you should have 
had patience for Lord Huntinglen’s sake, and prudence for 
your own. Supposing your quarrel just ” 

“ I pray you to pass on to some other charge, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch. 

“ I am not your accuser, my lord ; but I trust in Heaven 
that your own heart has already accused you bitterly on the 
inhospitable wrong which your late landlord has sustained at 
your hand.” 

“ Had I been guilty of what you allude to,” said Lord Glen- 
varloch — “ had a moment of temptation hurried me away, I had 
long ere now most bitterly repented it. But, whoever may have 
wronged the unhappy woman, it was not I. I never heard of 
her folly until within this hour.” 

“Come, my lord,” said Heriot, with some severity, “this 
sounds too much like affectation. I know there is among our 
modern youth a new creed respecting adultery as well as homi- 
cide. I would rather hear you speak of a revision of the Deca- 
logue, with mitigated penalties in favour of the privileged or- 
ders — I would rather hear you do this, than deny a fact in 
which you have been known ta glory.” 

“ Glory ! I never did, never would have taken honour to 
myself from such a cause,” ^aid Lord Glenvarloch. “I could 
not prevent other idle tongues and idle brains from making 
false inferences.” 

“ You would have kn<5wn well enough how to stop their 
mouths, my lord,” replied Heriot, “had they spoke of you 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


421 


what was unpleasing to your ears, and what the truth did not 
warrant. Come, my lord, remember your promise to confess ; 
and, indeed, to confess is, in this case, in some slight sort to 
redross. I will grant you are young, the woman handsome, 
and, as I myself have observed, light-headed enough. Let 
me know where she is. Her foolish husband has still some 
compassion for her, will save her from infamy, perhaps, in 
time, receive her back ; for we are a good-natured generation, 
we traders. Do not, my lord, emulate those who work mis- 
chief merely for the pleasure of doing so; it is the very 
devil’s worst quality.” 

“ Your grave remonstrances will drive me mad, ” said Nigel. 
“ There is a show of sense and reason in what you say ; and 
yet it is positively insisting on my telling the retreat of a 
fugitive of whom I know nothing earthly.” 

“ It is well, my lord,” answered Heriot, coldly. You have 
a right, such as it is, to keep your own secrets ; but, since my 
discourse on these points seems so totally unavailing, we had 
better proceed to business. Yet your father’s image rises 
before me and seems to plead that I should go on.” 

“ Be it as you will, sir, ” said Glenvarloch ; he who doubts 
my word shall have no additional security for it.” 

“ Well, my lord, in the sanctuary at Whitefriars — a place 
of refuge so unsuitable to a young man of quality and charac- 
ter — I am told a murder was committed.” 

And you believe that I did the deed, I suppose?” 

“God forbid, my lord!” said Heriot. “The coroner’s 
inquest hath sat, and it appeared that your lordship, under 
your assumed name of Grahame, behaved with the utmost 
bravery. ” 

“No compliment, I pray you !” said Nigel. “ I am only too 
happy to find that I did not murder, or am not believed to have 
murdered, the old man. ” 

“True, my lord,” said Heriot; “but even in this affair 
there lacks explanation. Your lordship embarked this morn- 
ing in a wherry with a female, and, it is said, an immense 
sum of money, in specie and other valuables ; but the woman 
has not since been heard of.” 


422 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“I parted with her at PauPs Wharf,” said Mgel, where 
she went ashore with her charge. I gave her a letter to that 
very man, John Christie.” 

“Ay, that is the waterman’s story; but John Christie de- 
nies that he remembers anything of the matter.” 

“ I am sorry to hear this, ” said the young nobleman ; “ I 
hope in Heaven she has not been trepanned for the treasure 
she had with her.” 

“I hope not, my lord,” replied Heriot; “but men’s minds 
are much disturbed about it. Our national character suffers 
on airhands. Men remember the fatal case of Lord Sanquhar, 
hanged for the murder of a fencing-master ; and exclaim, they 
will not have their wives whored and their property stolen 
by the nobility of Scotland.” 

“And all this is laid to my door!” said Nigel; “my excul- 
pation is easy.” 

“ I trust so, my lord, ” said Heriot ; “ nay, in this particular, 
I do not doubt it. But why did you leave Whitefriars under 
such circumstances?” 

“ Master Reginald Lowestoffe sent a boat for me, with inti- 
mation to provide for my safety.” 

“ I am sorry to say, ” replied Heriot, “ that he denies all 
knowledge of your lordship’s motions, after having despatched 
a messenger to you with some baggage. ” 

“ The watermen told me they were employed by him. ” 

“ Watermen!” said Heriot. “ One of these proves to be an 
idle apprentice, an old acquaintance of mine, the other has 
escaped; but the fellow who is in custody persists in saying 
he was employed by your lordship, and you only.” 

“He lies!” said Lord Glenvarloch, hastily. “He told me 
Master Lowestoffe had sent him. I hope that kind-hearted 
gentleman is at liberty?” 

“ He is, ” answered Heriot ; “ and has escaped with a rebuke 
from the benchers, for interfering in such a matter as your 
lordship’s. The court desire to keep well with the young 
Templars in these times of commotion, or he had not come off 
so well.” 

“ That is the only word of comfort I have heard from you, ” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 423 

replied Nigel. ‘‘But this poor woman — she and her trimk 
were committed to the charge of two porters. ” 

“ So said the pretended waterman j but none of the fellows 
who ply at the wharf will acknowledge the employment. I 
see the idea makes you uneasy, my lord ; but every effort is 
made to discover the poor woman^s place of retreat — if, indeed, 
she yet lives. And now, my lord, my errand is spoken, so far 
as it relates exclusively to your lordship ; what remains is mat- 
ter of business of a more formal kind.” 

“ Let us proceed to it without delay, ” said Lord Glenvarloch. 
“ I would hear of the affairs of any one rather than of my own.” 

“You cannot have forgotten, my lord,” said Heriot, “the 
transaction which took place some weeks since at Lord Hunt- 
inglen’s, by which a large sum of money was advanced for 
the redemption of your lordship’s estate?” 

“I remember it perfectly,” said Nigel; “and your present 
austerity cannot make me forget your kindness on the occa- 
sion.” 

Heriot bowed gravely, and went on : “ That money was ad- 
vanced under the expectation and hope that it might be re- 
placed by the contents of a grant to your lordship, under the 
royal sign-manual, in payment of certain monies due by the 
crown to your father. I trust your lordship understood the 
transaction at the time; 1 trust you now understand my re- 
sumption of its import, and hold it to be correct?” 

“Undeniably correct,” answered Lord Glenvarloch. “If 
the sums contained in the warrant cannot be recovered, my 
lands become the property of those who paid off the original 
holders of the mortgage, and now stand in their right.” 

“Even so, my lord,” said Heriot. “And your lordship’s 
unhappy circumstances having, it would seem, alarmed these 
creditors, they are now, I am sorry to say, pressing for one or 
other of these alternatives — possession of the land or payment 
of their debt.” 

“ They have a right to one or other, ” answered Lord Glen- 
varloch ; “ and as I cannot do the last in my present condition, 
I suppose they must enter on possession. ” 

“ Stay, my lord, ” replied Heriot ; “ if you have ceased to 


424 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


•jail me a friend to your person, at least you shall see I am 
willing to be such to your father’s house, were it but for the 
sakje of your father’s memory. If you will trust me with the 
warrant under the sign-manual, I believe circumstances do 
now so stand at court that I may be able to recover the money 
for you.” 

“ I would do so gladly, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, but the 
casket which contains it is not in my possession. It was 
seized when I was arrested at Greenwich.” 

“It will be no longer withheld from you,” said Heriot; 
“for, I understand, my master’s natural good sense, and some 
information which he has procured, I know not how, has in- 
duced him to contradict the whole charge of the attempt on 
his person. It is entirely hushed up ; and you will only be 
proceeded against for your violence on Lord Dalgarno, com- 
mitted within the verge of the palace, and that you will find 
heavy enough to answer.” 

“ I will not shrink under the weight, ” said Lord Glenvar- 
loch. “But that is not the present point. If I had that 
casket ” 

“Your baggage stood in the little ante-room, as I passed,” 
said the citizen j “ the casket caught my eye. I think you 
had it of me. It was my old friend Sir Faithful Frugal’s. 
Ay, he too had a son ” 

Here he stopped short. 

“ A son who, like Lord Glenvarloch ’s, did no credit to his 
father. Was it not so you would have ended the sentence. 
Master Heriot?” asked the young nobleman. 

“ My lord, it was a word spoken rashly, ” answered Heriot. 
“ God may mend all in His own good time. This, however, I 
will say, that I have sometimes envied my friends their fair 
and flourishing families; and yet have I seen such changes 
when death has removed the head, so many rich men’s sons 
penniless, the heirs of so many knights and nobles acreless, 
that I think mine own estate and memory, as I shall order it, 
has a fair chance of outliving those of greater men, though 
God has given me no heir of my name. But this is from the 
purpose. Ho! warder, bring in Lord Glenvarloch’s baggage.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


426 


The officer obeyed. “ Seals had been placed upon the trunk 
and casket, but were now removed, ” the warder said, “ in con- 
sequence of the subsequent orders from court, and the whole 
was placed at the prisoner’s free disposal.” 

Desirous to bring this painful visit to a conclusion. Lord 
Glenvarloch opened the casket, and looked through the papers 
which it contained, first hastily, and then more slowly and ac- 
curately j but it was all in vain. The sovereign’s signed war- 
rant had disappeared. 

“ I thought and expected nothing better, ” said George Heriot, 
bitterly. “The beginning of evil is the letting out of water. 
Here is a fair heritage lost, I dare say, on a foul cast at dice 
or a conjuring-trick at cards ! My lord, your surprise is well 
played. I give you full joy of your accomplishments. I have 
seen many as young brawlers and spendthrifts, but never so 
young and accomplished a dissembler. Nay, man, never 
bend your angry brows on me. 1 speak in bitterness of heart, 
from what I remember of your worthy father j and if his son 
hears of his degeneracy from no one else, he shall hear it 
from the old goldsmith. ” 

This new suspicion drove Nigel to the very extremity of his 
patience ; yet the motives and zeal of the good old man, as well 
as the circumstances of suspicion which created his displeas- 
ure, were so excellent an excuse for it, that they formed an 
absolute curb on the resentment of Lord Glenvarloch, and 
constrained him, after two or three hasty exclamations, to 
observe a proud and sullen silence. At length. Master Heriot 
resumed his lecture. 

“ Hark, you, my lord, ” he said, “ it is scarce possible that 
this most important paper can be absolutely assigned away. 
Let me know in what obscure corner, and for what petty sum, 
it lies pledged j something may yet be done. ” 

“Your efforts in my favour are the more generous,” said 
Lord Glenvarloch, “ as you offer them to one whom you be- 
lieve you have cause to think hardly of; but they are alto- 
gether unavailing. Fortune has taken the field against me at 
every point. Even let her win the battle.” 

“Zouns!” exclaimed Heriot, impatiently, “you would make 


426 


■WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


a saint swear ! Why I tell you, if this paper, the loss of which 
seems to sit so light on you, be not found, farewell to the fair 
lordship of Glenvarloch — firth and forest, lea and furrow, lake 
and stream — all that has been in the house of Olifaunt since 
the days of William the Lion!’’ 

“Farewell to them, then,” said Kigel, “and that moan is 
soon made.” 

“ ’Sdeath! my lord, you will make more moan for it ere you 
die,” said Heriot, in the same tone of angry impatience. 

“Not I, my old friend,” said Nigel. “If I mourn, Master 
Heriot, it will be for having lost the good opinion of a worthy 
man, and lost it, as I must say, most undeservedly.” 

“Ay — ay, young man,” said Heriot, shaking his head, 
“make me believe that if you can. To sum the matter up,” 
he said, rising from his seat and walking towards that occupied 
by the disguised female, “ for our matters are now drawn into 
small compass, you shall as soon make me believe that this 
masquerading mummer, on whom I now lay the hand of 
paternal authority, is a French page, who understands no 
English.” 

So saying, he took hold of the supposed page’s cloak, and, 
not without some gentle degree of violence, led into the middle 
of the apartment the disguised fair one, who in vain attempted 
to cover her face, first with her mantle and afterwards with her 
hands ; both which impediments Master Heriot removed, some- 
thing unceremoniously, and gave to view the detected daughter 
of the old chronologist, his own fair goddaughter, Margaret 
Ramsay. 

“Here is goodly gear!” he said, and, as he spoke, he could 
not prevent himself from giving her a slight shake, for we 
have elsewhere noticed that he was a severe disciplinarian. 
“How comes it, minion, that I find you in so shameless a 
dress and so unworthy a situation? Nay, your modesty is now 
mistimed, it should have come sooner. Speak, or I will ” 

“ Master Heriot, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ whatever right 
you may have over this maiden elsewhere, while in my apart- 
ment she is under my protection.” 

“ Your protection, my lord ! a proper protector ! And how 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


427 


long, mistress, have you been under my lord^s protection? 
Speak out, forsooth?” 

‘‘For the matter of two hours, godfather,” answered the 
maiden, with a countenance bent to the ground and covered 
with blushes, “but it was against my will.” 

“ Two hours !” repeated Heriot, “ space enough for mischief. 
My lord, this is, I suppose, another victim offered to your 
character of gallantry — another adventure to be boasted of at 
Beaujeu’s ordinary? Methinks the roof under which you first 
met this silly maiden should have secured her, at least, from 
such a fate.” 

“On my honour. Master Heriot,” said Lord Glenvarloch, 
“ you remind me now, for the first time, that I saw this young 
lady in yoiir family. Her features are not easily forgotten, and 
yet I was trying in vain to recollect where I had last looked on 
them. For your suspicions, they are as false as they are in- 
jurious both to her and me. I had but discovered her disguise 
as you entered. I am satisfied, from her whole behaviour, that 
her presence here in this dress was involuntary ; and God for- 
bid that I had been capable of taking advantage of it to her 
prejudice.” 

“ It is well mouthed, my lord, ” said Master Heriot ; “ but a 
cunning clerk can read the Apocrypha as loud as the Scripture. 
Frankly, my lord, you are come to that pass where your words 
will not be received without a warrant.” 

“ I should not speak, perhaps, ” said Margaret, the natural 
vivacity of whose temper could never be long suppressed by 
any situation, however disadvantageous, “but I cannot be 
silent. Godfather, you do me wrong, and no less wrong to 
this young nobleman. You say his words want a warrant. I 
know where to find a warrant for some of them, and the rest 
I deeply and devoutly believe without one.” 

“And I thank you, maiden,” replied Nigel, “for the good 
opinion you have expressed. I am at that point, it seems, 
though how I have been driven to it I know not, where every 
fair construction of my actions and motives is refused me. I 
am the more obliged to her who grants me that right which the 
world denies me. For you, lady, were I at liberty, I have 


428 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


a sword and arm should know how to guard your reputa- 
tion.’^ 

“ Upon my word, a perfect Amadis and Oriana !” said George 
Heriot. “ I should soon get my throat cut betwixt the knight 
and the princess, I suppose, but that the beefeaters are hap- 
pily within halloo. Come — come, lady light o’ love, if you 
mean to make your way with me, it must be by plain facts, 
not by speeches from romaunts and play-books. How, in 
Heaven’s name, came you here?” 

“ Sir, ” answered Margaret, “ since I must speak, I went to 
Greenwich this morning with Monna Paula, to present a peti- 
tion to the King on the part of the Lady Hermione.” 

“Mercy-a-gad!” exclaimed Heriot, ^4s she in the dance, 
too? Could she not have waited my return to stir in her 
affairs? But I suppose the intelligence I sent her had ren- 
dered her restless. Ah ! woman — woman ! he that goes part- 
ner with you had need of a double share of patience, for you 
will bring none into the common stock. Well, but what on 
earth had this embassy of Monna Paula’s to do with your 
absurd disguise? Speak out.” 

“ Monna Paula was frightened, ” answered Margaret, “ and 
did not know how to set about the errand, for you know she 
scarce ever goes out of doors — and so — and so — I agreed to 
go with her to give her courage ; and, for the dress, I am sure 
you remember I wore it at a Christmas mumming, and you 
thought it not unbeseeming. ” 

“Yes, for a Christmas parlour,” said Heriot, “but not to go 
a-masking through the country in. I do remember it, minion, 
and I knew it even now ; that and your little shoe there, linked 
with a hint I had in the morning from a friend, or one who 
called himself such, led to your detection.” 

Here Lord Glenvarloch could not help giving a glance at the 
pretty foot which even the staid citizen thought worth recollec- 
tion ; it was but a glance, for he saw how much the least degree 
of observation added to Margaret’s distress and confusion. 

“And tell me, maiden,” continued Master Heriot, for what 
we have observed was bye-play, “did the Lady Hermione 
know of this fair work?” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


429 


“ I dared not have told her for the world, ” said Margaret ; 
“ she thought one of our apprentices went with Monna Paula. ” 

It may be here noticed, that the words “ our apprentices’’ 
seemed to have in them something of a charm to break the 
fascination with which Lord Glenvarloch had hitherto listened 
to the broken yet interesting details of Margaret’s history. 

“ And wherefore went he not? He had been a fitter com- 
panion for Monna Paula than you, I wot,” said the citizen. 

“ He was otherwise employed, ” said Margaret, in a voice 
scarce audible. 

Master George darted a hasty glance at Nigel, and when he 
saw his features betoken no consciousness, he muttered to him- 
self : “ It must be better than I feared. And so this cursed 
Spaniard, with her head full, as they aU have, of disguises, 
trap-doors, rope-ladders, and masks, was jade and fool enough 
to take you with her on this wild-goose errand? And how 
sped you, I pray?” 

“Just as we reached the gate of the Park,” replied Marga- 
ret, “ the cry of ‘ Treason ’ was raised. I know not what be- 
came of Monna, but I ran till I fell into the arms of a very 
decent serving-man, called Linklater ; and I was fain to tell 
him I was your goddaughter, and so he kept the rest of them 
from me, and got me to speech of his Majesty, as I entreated 
him to do. ” 

“ It is the only sign you showed in the whole matter that 
common sense had not utterly deserted your little skull, ” said 
Heriot. 

“His Majesty,” continued the damsel, “was so gracious as 
to receive me alone, though the courtiers cried out against the 
danger to his person, and would have searched me for arms, 
God help me! but the King forbade it. I fancy he had a 
hint from Linklater how the truth stood with me.” 

“ WeU, maiden, I ask not what passed, ” said Heriot ; “ it 
becomes not me to pry into my master’s secrets. Had you 
been closeted with his grandfather, the Red Tod of St. An- 
drews, as Davie Lindsay used to caU him, by my faith, I 
should have had my own thoughts of the matter; but our 
master, God bless him, is douce and temperate, and Solo- 


430 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


mon in everything save in the chapter of wives and con- 
cubines. ” 

^‘1 know not what you mean, sir,’’ answered Margaret. 
“His Majesty was most kind and compassionate, but said I 
mu 3 t be sent hither, and that the lieutenant’s lady, the Lady 
Mansel, would have a charge of me, and see that I sustained no 
wrong ; and the King promised to send me in a tilted barge, 
and under conduct of a person well known to you ; and thus I 
come to be in the Tower.” 

“ But how or why in this apartment, nymph?” said George 
Heriot. “ Expound that to me, for I think the riddle needs 
reading.” 

“ I cannot explain it, sir, further than that the Lady Man- 
sel sent me here in spite of my earnest prayers, tears, and en- 
treaties. I was not afraid of anything, for I knew I should be 
protected. But I could have died then — could die now — for 
very shame and confusion!” 

“ Well — well, if your tears are genuine,” said Heriot, “they 
may the sooner wash out the memory of your fault. Knows 
your father aught of this escape of yours?” 

“I would not for the world he did,” replied she; “he be- 
lieves me with the Lady Hermione.” 

“ Ay, honest Davie can regulate his horologes better than 
his family. Come, damsel, now I will escort you back to 
the Lady Mansel, and pray her, of her kindness, that, when 
she is again trusted with a goose, she will not give it to the 
fox to keep. The warders will let us pass to my lady’s lodg- 
ings, I trust.” 

“ Stay but one moment,” said Lord Glenvarloch. “What- 
ever hard opinion you may have formed of me, I forgive you, 
for time will show that you do me wrong ; and you yourself, 
I think, will be the first to regret the injustice you have done 
me. But involve not in your suspicions this young person, 
for whose purity of thought angels themselves should be 
vouchers. I have marked every look, every gesture; and 
whilst I can draw breath, I shall ever think of her with ” 

“ Think not at all of her, my lord, ” answered George Heriot, 
interrupting him ; “ it is, I have a notion, the best favour you 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


431 


can do her ; or think of her as the daughter of Davie Ramsay, 
the clock-maker, no proper subject for fine speeches, romantic 
adventures, or high-flown Arcadian compliments. I give you 
god-den, my lord. I think not altogether so harshly as my 
speech may have spoken. If I can help — that is, if I saw 
my way clearly through this labyrinth — but it avails not talk- 
ing now. I give your lordship god-den. Here, warder ! Per- 
mit us to pass to the Lady MansePs apartment.” 

The warder said he must have orders from the lieutenant ; 
and as he retired to procure them, the parties remained stand- 
ing near each other, but without speaking, and scarce looking 
at each other save by stealth — a situation which, in two of the 
party at least, was sufficiently embarrassing. The difference 
of rank, though in that age a consideration so serious, could 
not prevent Lord Glenvarloch from seeing that Margaret Ram- 
say was one of the prettiest young women he had ever beheld ; 
from suspecting, he could scarce tell why, that he himself was 
not indifferent to her ; from feeling assured that he had been 
the cause of much of her present distress — admiration, self- 
love, and generosity, acting in favour of the same object; and 
when the yeoman returned with permission to his guests to 
withdraw, NigePs obeisance to the beautiful daughter of the 
mechanic was marked with an expression which called up in 
her cheeks as much colour as any incident of the eventful day 
had hitherto excited. She returned the courtesy timidly and 
irresolutely, clung to her godfather’s arm, and left the apart- 
ment, which, dark as it was, had never yet appeared so obscure 
to Nigel as when the door closed behind her. 


432 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXX. 

Yet though thou shouldst be dragg’d in scorn 
To yonder ignominious tree, 

Thou shalt not want one faithful friend 
To share the cruel fates’ decree. 

Ballad of Jemmy Dawson. 

Master George Heriot and his ward, as she might justly 
be termed, for his affection to Margaret imposed on him all the 
cares of a guardian, were ushered by the yeoman of the guard 
to the lodging of the lieutenant, where they found him seated 
with his lady. They were received by both with that decorous 
civility which Master Heriot’ s character and supposed influ- 
ence demanded, even at the hand of a punctilious old soldier 
and courtier like Sir Edward Mansel. Lady Mansel received 
Margaret with like courtesy, and informed Master George that 
she was now only her guest, and no longer her prisoner. 

She is at liberty, ” she said, “ to return to her friends 
under your charge; such is his Majesty’s pleasure.” 

“I am glad of it, madam,” answered Heriot, “but only I 
could have wished her freedom had taken place before her 
foolish interview with that singular young man ; and I marvel 
your ladyship permitted it. ” 

“ My good Master Heriot, ” said Sir Edward, “ we act ac- 
cording to the commands of one better and wiser than our- 
selves : our orders from his Majesty must be strictly and lit- 
erally obeyed; and I need not say that the wisdom of his 
Majesty doth more than ensure ” 

“I know his Majesty’s wisdom well,” said Heriot; “yet 
there is an old proverb about fire and flax — well, let it pass.” 

“ I see Sir Mungo Malagrowther stalking towards the door 
of the lodging, ” said the Lady Mansel, “ with the gait of a 
lame crane ; it is his second visit this morning. ” 

“ He brought the warrant for discharging Lord Glenvarloch 
of the charge of treason,” said Sir Edward. 

“ And from him, ” said Heriot, “ I heard much of what had 


THE PORTUKES OP NIGEL. 


433 


befallen ; for I came from Prance only late last evening, and 
somewhat unexpectedly. ” 

As they spoke, Sir Mungo entered the apartment, saluted 
the lieutenant of the Tower and his lady with ceremonious 
civility, honoured George Heriot with a patronising nod of 
acknowledgment, and accosted Margaret with: “Hey! my 
young charge, you have not doffed your masculine attire 
yet?'’ 

“ She does not mean to lay it aside. Sir Mungo, ” said Heriot, 
speaking loud, “ until she has had satisfaction from you for 
betraying her disguise to me, like a false knight ; and in very 
deed. Sir Mungo, I think, when you told me she was rambling 
about in so strange a dress, you might have said also that she 
was under Lady Mansel’s protection.” 

“That was the King’s secret. Master Heriot,” said Sir 
Mungo, throwing himself into a chair with an air of atra- 
bilarious importance ; “ the other was a well-meaning hint to 
yourself, as the girl’s friend.” 

“Yes,” replied Heriot, “it was done like yourself: enough 
told to make me unhappy about her, not a word which could 
relieve my uneasiness.” 

“ Sir Mungo will not hear that remark, ” said the lady ; “ we 
must change the subject. Is there any news from court, Sir 
Mungo? you have been to Greenwich?” 

“You might as well ask me, madam,” answered the knight, 
“ whether there is any news from hell. ” 

“How, Sir Mungo — how!” said Sir Edward; “measure 
your words something better. You speak of the court of 
King James.” 

“ Sir Edward, if I spoke of the court of the twelve kaisers, 
I would say it is as confused for the present as the infernal 
regions. Courtiers of forty years’ standing, and such I may 
write myself, are as far to seek in the matter as a minnow in 
the Maelstrom. Some folk say the King has frowned on the 
Prince, some that the Prince has looked grave on the Duke, 
some that Lord Glenvarloch will be hanged for high treason, 
and some that there is matter against Lord Dalgarno that may 
cost him as much as his head’s worth.” 

28 


434 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


And what do you, that are a courtier of forty years’ stand- 
ing, think of it all?” said Sir Edward Mansel. 

“Nay — nay, do not ask him. Sir Edward,” said the lady, 
with an expressive look to her husband. 

“ Sir Mungo is too witty,” added Master Heriot, “to remem- 
ber that he who says aught that may be repeated to his own 
prejudice does but load a piece for any of the company to 
shoot him dead with, at their pleasure and convenience. ” 

“What!” said the bold knight, “you think I am afraid of 
the trepan? Why now, what if I should say that Dalgarno 
has more wit than honesty, the Duke more sail than ballast, 

the Prince more pride than prudence, and that the King ” 

The Lady Mansel held up her finger in a warning manner — 
“ that the King is my very good master, who has given me, 
for forty years and more, dog’s wages, videlicet, bones and 
beating. Why now, all this is said, and Archie Armstrong * 
says worse than this of the best of them every day.” 

“ The more fool he, ” said George Heriot ; “ yet he is not so ut- 
terly wrong, for folly is his best wisdom. But do not you. Sir 
Mungo, set your wit against a fool’s, though he be a court fool.” 

“A fool, said you?” replied Sir Mungo, not having fully 
heard what Master Heriot said, or not choosing to have it 
thought so — “ I have been a fool indeed, to hang on at a close- 
fisted court here, when men of understanding and men of ac- 
tion have been making fortunes in every other place of Europe. 
But here a man comes indifferently off unless he gets a great 
key to turn (looking at Sir Edward), or can beat tattoo with a 
hammer on a pewter plate. Well, sirs, I must make as much 
haste back on mine errand as if I were a fee’d messenger. Sir 
Edward and my lady, I leave my commendations with you ; and 
my good-will with you. Master Heriot ; and for this breaker 
of bounds, if you will act by my counsel, some maceration by 
fasting, and a gentle use of the rod, is the best cure for her 
giddy fits.” 

“ If you propose for Greenwich, Sir Mungo, ” said the lieu- 
tenant, “ I can spare you the labour : the King comes imme- 
diately to Whitehall.” 

1 The celebrated court jester. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


435 


And cliat must be the reason the council are summoned to 
meet in such hurry,” said Sir Mungo. “Well, I will, with 
your permission, go to the poor lad Glenvarloch, and bestow 
some comfort on him.” 

The lieutenant, seemed to look up and pause for a moment 
as if in doubt. 

“ The lad will want a pleasant companion, who can tell hiTn 
the nature of the punishment which he is to suffer, and other 
matters of concernment. I will not leave him until I show 
him how absolutely he hath ruined himself from feather to 
spur, how deplorable is his present state, and how small his 
chance of mending it. ” 

“Well, Sir Mungo,” replied the lieutenant, “if you really 
think all this likely to be very consolatory to the party con- 
cerned, I will send a warder to conduct you.” 

“ And I, ” said George Heriot, “ will humbly pray of Lady 
Mansel that she will lend some of her handmaiden’s apparel 
to this giddy-brained girl j for I shall forfeit my reputation if 
I walk up Tower Hill with her in that mad guise — and yet 
the silly lassie looks not so ill in it neither.” 

“ I will send my coach with you instantly, ” said the oblig- 
ing lady. 

“ Faith, madam, and if you will honour us by such courtesy, 
I will gladly accept it at your hands, ” said the citizen, “ for 
business presses hard on me, and the forenoon is already lost, 
to little purpose.” 

The coach, being ordered accordingly, transported the 
worthy citizen and his charge to his mansion in Lombard 
Street. There he found his presence was anxiously expected 
by the Lady Hermione, who had just received an order to be 
in readiness to attend upon the royal privy council in the 
course of an hour; and upon whom, in her inexperience of 
business, and long retirement from society and the world, the 
intimation had made as deep an impression as if it had not 
been the necessary consequence of the petition which she had 
presented to the King by Monna Paula. George Heriot gently 
blamed her for taking any steps in an affair so important until 
his return from France, especially as he had requested her to 


436 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


remain quiet, in a letter which accompanied the evidence he 
had transmitted to her from Paris. She could only plead in 
answer the influence which her immediately stirring in the 
matter was likely to have on the affair of her kinsman Lord 
Glenvarloch, for she was ashamed to acknowledge how much 
she had been gained on by the eager importunity of her youth- 
ful companion. The motive of Margaret^s eagerness was, of 
course, the safety of Nigel; but we must leave it to time to 
show in what particulars that came to be connected with the 
petition of the Lady Hermione. Meanwhile, we return to the 
visit with which Sir Mungo Malagrowther favoured the afflicted 
young nobleman in his place of captivity. 

The knight, after the usual salutations, and having prefaced 
his discourse with a great deal of professed regret for NigePs 
situation, sat down beside him, and, composing his grotesque 
features into the most lugubrious despondence, began his ra- 
ven-song as follows: 

“ I bless God, my lord, that I was the person who had the 
pleasure to bring his Majesty’s mild message to the lieutenant, 
discharging the higher prosecution against ye, for anything 
meditated against his Majesty’s sacred person; for admit you 
be prosecuted on the lesser offence, or breach of privilege of 
the palace and its precincts, usque ad mutilationem — even 
to dismemberation — as it is most likely you will, yet the loss 
of a member is nothing to being hanged and drawn quick, after 
the fashion of a traitor.” 

“ I should feel the shame of having deserved such a punish- 
ment, ” answered Nigel, “ more than the pain of undergoing it. ” 

“Doubtless, my lord, the having, as you say, deserved it 
must be an excruciation to your own mind,” replied his tor- 
mentor — “ a kind of mental and metaphysical hanging, draw- 
ing, and quartering, which may be in some measure equipol- 
lent with the external application of hemp, iron, fire, and the 
like, to the outer man.” 

“I say. Sir Mungo,” repeated Nigel, “and beg you to un- 
derstand my words, that I am unconscious of any error, save 
that of having arms on my person when I chanced to approach 
that of my sovereign.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


437 


“Ye are right, my lord, to acknowledge nothing,” said Sir 
Mungo. “We have an old proverb. Confess, and — so forth. 
And indeed, as to the weapons, his Majesty has a special ill- 
will at all arms * whatsoever, and more especially pistols ; but, 
as I said, there is an end of that matter. I wish you as well 
through the next, which is altogether unlikely.” 

“ Surely, Sir Mungo,” answered Nigel, “you yourself might 
say something in my favour concerning the affair in the Park. 
None knows better than you that I was at that moment urged 
by wrongs of the most heinous nature, offered to me by Lord 
Dalgarno, many of which were reported to me by yourself, 
much to the inflammation of my passion.” 

“ Alack-a-day ! — alack-a-day !” replied Sir Mungo, “I re- 
member but too well how much your choler was inflamed, in 
spite of the various remonstrances which I made to you re- 
specting the sacred nature of the place. Alas! — alas! you 
cannot say you leaped into the mire for want of warning.” 

“ I see. Sir Mungo, you are determined to remember noth- 
ing which can do me service,” said Nigel. 

“ Blythely would I do ye service, ” said the knight ; “ and 
the best whilk I can think of is to tell you the process of the 
punishment to the whilk you will be indubitably subjected, 
I having had the good fortune to behold it performed in the 
Queen’s time, on a chield that had written a pasquinade. I 
was then in my Lord Gray’s train, who lay leaguer here, and, 
being always covetous of pleasing and profitable sights, I could 
not dispense with being present on the occasion.” 

“ I should be surprised indeed, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ if 
you had so far put restraint upon your benevolence as to stay 
away from such an exhibition. ” 

“ Hey ! was your lordship praying me to be present at your 
own execution?” answered the knight. “Troth, my lord, it 
will be a painful sight to a friend, but I will rather punish 
myself than baulk you. It is a pretty pageant, in the main — 
a very pretty pageant. The fallow came on with such a bold 
face, it was a pleasure to look on him. He was dressed all in 
white, to signify harmlessness and innocence. The thing was 
* See James I.’s Dislike to Arms. Note 37. 


438 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


done on a scaffold at Westminster; most likely yours will be 
at Charing. There were the sheriff's and the marshal’s men, 
and what not; the executioner, with his cleaver and mallet, 
and his man, with a pan of hot charcoal, and the irons for 
cautery. He was a dexterous fallow that Derrick. This man 
Gregory is not fit to jipper a joint with him; it might be 
worth your lordship’s while to have the loon sent to a barber- 
surgeon’s, to learn some needful scantling of anatomy ; it may 
be for the benefit of yourself and other unhappy sufferers, and 
also a kindness to Gregory.” 

“I will not take the trouble,” said Nigel. “If the laws 
will demand my hand, the executioner may get it off as he 
best can. If the King leaves it where it is, it may chance to 
do him better service.” 

“Vera noble — vera grand, indeed, my lord,” said Sir Mun- 
go; “it is pleasant to see a brave man suffer. This fallow 
whom I spoke of — this Tubbs, or Stubbs, or whatever the 
plebeian was called — came forward as bold as an emperor, and 
said to the people, ‘Good friends, I come to leave here the 
hand of a true Englishman, ’ and clapped it on the dressing- 
block with as much ease as if he had laid it on his sweet- 
heart’s shoulder; whereupon Derrick, the hangman, adjust- 
ing, d’ye mind me, the edge of his cleaver on the very 
joint, hit it with the mallet with such force that the hand fiew 
off as far from the owner as a gauntlet which the challenger 
casts down in the tilt-yard. Well, sir, Stubbs, or Tubbs, lost 
no wit of countenance, until the fallow clapped the hissing- 
hot iron on his raw stump. My lord, it fizzed like a rasher of 
bacon, and the fallow set up an elritch screech, which made 
some think his courage was abated ; but not a whit, for he 
plucked off his hat with his left hand, and waved it, crying, 
‘God save the Queen, and confound all evil counsellors!’ The 
people gave him three cheers, which he deserved for his stout 
heart ; and, truly, I hope to see your lordship suffer with the 
same magnanimity.” ' 

“I thank you. Sir Mungo,” said Nigel, who had not been 
able to forbear some natural feelings of an unpleasant nature 
1 See Punislament of Stubbs by Mutilation. Note 38. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


439 


during this lively detail ; “ I have no doubt the exhibition will 
be a very engaging one to you and the other spectators, what- 
ever it may prove to the party principally concerned. ” 

“Vera engaging,’’ answered Sir Mungo, “vera interesting — 
vera interesting indeed, though not altogether so much so as 
an execution for high treason. I saw Digby, the Winters, 
Fawkes, and the rest of the Gunpowder gang, suffer for that 
treason, whilk was a vera grand spectacle, as well in regard 
to their sufferings as to their constancy in enduring.” 

“I am the more obliged to your goodness. Sir Mungo,” re- 
plied Negil, “that has induced you, although you have lost 
the sight, to congratulate me on my escape from the hazard of 
making the same edifying appearance.” 

“ As you say, my lord, ” answered Sir Mungo, “ the loss is 
chiefly in appearance. Nature has been very bountiful to us, 
and has given duplicates of some organs, that we may endure 
the loss of one of them, should some such circumstance chance 
in our pilgrimage. See my poor dexter, abridged to one 
thumb, one finger, and a stump — by the blow of my adver- 
sary’s weapon, however, and not by any carnificial knife. 
Weel, sir, this poor maimed hand doth me, in some sort, as 
much service as ever ; and, admit yours to be taken off by the 
wrist, you have still your left hand for your service, and are 
better off than the little Dutch dwarf here about town, who 
threads a needle, limns, writes, and tosses a pike merely by 
means of his feet, without ever a hand to help him.” 

“Well, Sir Mungo,” said Lord Glenvfirloch, “this is all 
no doubt very consolatory ; but I hope the King will spare my 
hand to fight for him in battle, where, notwithstanding all 
your kind encouragement, I could spend my blood much more 
cheerfully than on a scaffold.” 

“It is even a sad truth,” replied Sir Mungo, “that your 
lordship was but too like to have died on a scaffold — not 
a soul to speak for you but that deluded lassie, Maggie 
Ramsay. ” 

“Whom mean you?” said Nigel, with more interest than 
he had hitherto shown in the knight’s communications. 

“ Nay, who should I mean but that travestied lassie whom 


440 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


we dined with when we honoured Heriot, the goldsmith? 
Y^e ken best how you have made interest with her, but I saw 
her on her knees to the King for you. She was committed to 
my charge, to bring her up hither in honour and safety. Had 
I had my own will, I would have had her to Bridewell, to flog 
the wild blood out of her — a cutty-quean, to think of wearing 
the breeches, and not so much as married yet!” 

“Hark ye. Sir Mungo Malagrowther, ” answered Nigel, “I 
would have you talk of that young person with fitting respect. ” 

“ With all the respect that befits your lordship’s paramour 
and Davie Ramsay’s daughter I shall certainly speak of her, 
my lord, ” said Sir Mungo, assuming a dry tone of irony. 

Nigel was greatly disposed to have made a serious quarrel 
of it, but with Sir Mungo such an affair would have been ridic- 
ulous; he smothered his resentment, therefore, and conjured 
him to tell what he had heard and seen respecting this young 
person. 

“ Simply, that I was in the ante-room when she had au- 
dience, and heard the King say, to my great perplexity, ^Fuh 
chra sane puella^ ; and Maxwell, who hath but indifferent 
Latin ears, thought that his Majesty called on him by his 
own name of Sawney, and thrust into the presence, and there 
I saw our sovereign James, with his own hand, raising up the 
lassie, who, as I said heretofore, was travestied in man’s at- 
tire. I should have had my own thoughts of it, but our gra- 
cious master is auld, and was nae great gilravager amang the 
queans even iu his youth; and he was comfortiug her in his 
own way, and saying: ‘Ye needna greet about it, my bonny 
woman, Glenvarlochides shall have fair play; and, indeed, 
when the hurry was off our spirits, we could not believe that 
he had any design on our person. And touching his other 
offences, we will look wisely and closely into the matter.’ 
So I got charge to take the young fence-louper to the Tower 
here, and deliver her to the charge of Lady Mansel; and his 
Majesty charged me to say not a word to her about your of- 
fences. ‘For,’ said he, ‘the poor thing is breaking her heart 
for him. ’ ” 

“ And on this you have charitably founded the opinion to 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


441 


the prejudice of this young lady which you have now thought 
proper to express?’’ said Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ In honest truth, my lord, ” replied Sir Mungo, “ what opin- 
ion would you have me form of a wench who gets into male 
habiliments, and goes on her knees to the King for a wild 
young nobleman? I wot not what the fashionable word may 
be, for the phrase changes, though the custom abides. But 
truly I must needs think this young leddy — if you call 
Watchie Ramsay’s daughter a young leddy — demeans herself 
more like a leddy of pleasure than a leddy of honour, ” 

“ You do her egregious wrong. Sir Mungo,” said Nigel; “or 
rather you have been misled by appearances.” 

“ So will all the world be misled, my lord, ” replied the 
satirist, “ unless you were doing that to disabuse them which 
your father’s son will hardly judge it fit to do.” 

“And what may that be, I pray you?” 

“E’en marry the lass — make her Leddy Glenvarloch. Ay 
— ay, ye may start, but it’s the course you are driving on. 
Rather marry than do worse, if the worst be not done al- 
ready.” 

“ Sir Mungo,” said Nigel, “ I pray you to forbear this sub- 
ject, and rather return to that of the mutilation, upon which 
it pleased you to enlarge a short while since. ” 

“ I have not time at present, ” said Sir Mungo, hearing the 
clock strike four ; “ but so soon as you shall have received sen- 
tence, my lord, you may rely on my giving you the fullest de- 
tail of the whole solemnity ; and I give you my word, as a 
knight and gentleman, that I will myself attend you on the 
scaffold, whoever may cast sour looks on me for doing so. I 
bear a heart to stand by a friend in the worst of times.” 

So saying, he wished Lord Glenvarloch farewell, who felt 
as heartily rejoiced at his departure, though it may be a bold 
word, as any person who had ever undergone his society. 

But, when left to his own reflections, Nigel could not help 
feeling solitude nearly as irksome as the company of Sir 
Mungo Malagrowther. The total wreck of his fortune, which 
seemed now to be rendered unavoidable by the loss of the 
royal warrant, that had afforded him the means of redeeming 


442 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


his paternal estate, was an unexpected and additional blow. 
When he had seen the warrant he could not precisely remem- 
ber j but was inclined to think it was in the casket when he 
took out money to pay the miser for his lodgings at White- 
friars. Since then, the casket had been almost constantly 
under his own eye, except during the short time he was sepa- 
rated from his baggage by the arrest in Greenwich Park. It 
might, indeed, have been taken out at that time, for he had no 
reason to think either his person or his property was in the 
hands of those who wished him well ; but, on the other hand, 
the locks of the strong-box had sustained no violence that he 
could observe, and, being of a particular and complicated con- 
struction, he thought they could scarce be opened without an 
instrument made on purpose, adapted to their peculiarities, and 
for this there had been no time. But, speculate as he would 
on the matter, it was clear that this important document was 
gone, and probable that it had passed into no friendly hands. 
^‘Let it be so,” said Nigel to himself; “I am scarcely worse 
off respecting my prospects of fortune than when I first 
reached this accursed city. But to be hampered with cruel 
accusations and stained with foul suspicions; to be the object 
of pity of the most degrading kind to yonder honest citizen, 
and of the malignity of that envious and atrabilarious courtier, 
who can endure the good fortune and good qualities of another 
no more than the mole can brook sunshine — this is indeed a 
deplorable reflection ; and the consequences must stick to my 
future life, and impede whatever my head, or my hand, if it 
is left me, might be .able to execute in my favour.” 

The feeling that he is the object of general dislike and 
dereliction seems to be one of the most unendurably painful 
to which a human being can be subjected. “ The most atrocious 
criminals, whose nerves have not shrunk from perpetrating 
the most horrid cruelty, endure more from the consciousness 
that no man will sympathise with their sufferings than from 
apprehension of the personal agony of their impending pun- 
ishment; and are known often to attempt to palliate their 
enormities, and sometimes altogether to deny what is estab- 
lished by the clearest proof, rather than to leave life under 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


443 


the general ban of humanity. It was no wonder that Nigel, 
labouring under the sense of general, though unjust, suspicion, 
should, while pondering on so painful a theme, recollect that 
one at least had not only believed him innocent, but hazarded 
herself, with all her feeble power, to interpose in his behalf. 

‘^Poor girl!” he repeated — “poor, rash, but generous 
maiden ! your fate is that of her in Scottish story, who thrust 
her arm into the staple of the door, to oppose it as a bar 
against the assassins who threatened the murder of her sov- 
ereign. * The deed of devotion was useless, save to give an 
immortal name to her by whom it was done, and whose blood 
flows, it is said, in the veins of my house.” 

I cannot explain to the reader whether the recollection of 
this historical deed of devotion, and the lively effect which 
the comparison, a little overstrained perhaps, was likely to pro- 
duce in favour of Margaret Ramsay, was not qualified by the 
concomitant ideas of ancestry and ancient descent with which 
that recollection was mingled. But the contending feelings 
suggested a new train of ideas. “Ancestry,” he thought, 
“and ancient descent, what are they to me? My patrimony 
alienated — my title become a reproach — for what can be so 
absurd as titled beggary? — my character subjected to sus- 
picion — I will not remain in this country ; and should I, at 
leaving it, procure the society of one so lovely, so brave, and 
so faithful, who should say that I derogated from the rank 
which I am virtually renouncing?” 

There was something romantic and pleasing, as he pursued 
this picture of an attached and faithful pair, becoming all the 
world to each other, and stemming the tide of fate arm in 
arm ; and to be linked thus with a creature so beautiful, and 
who had taken such devoted and disinterested concern in his 
fortunes, formed itself into such a vision as romantic youth 
loves best to dwell upon. 

Suddenly his dream was painfully dispelled by the recollec- 
tion that its very basis rested upon the most selfish mgratitude 
on his own part. Lord of his castle and his towers, his forests 
and fields, his fair patrimony and noble name, his mind would 
* See Assassination of James I. of Scotland. Note 39. 


444 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


have rejected, as a sort of impossibility, the idea of elevating 
to his rank the daughter of a mechanic ; but, when degraded 
from his nobility and plunged into poverty and difficulties, 
he was ashamed to feel himself not unwilling that this poor 
girl, in the blindness of her affection, should abandon all the 
better prospects of her own settled condition to embrace the 
precarious and doubtful course which he himself was con- 
demned to. The generosity of NigeTs mind recoiled from the 
selfishness of the plan of happiness which he projected ; and 
he made a strong effort to expel from his thoughts for the 
rest of the evening this fascinating female, or, at least, not to 
permit them” to dwell upon the perilous circumstance that she 
was at present the only creature living who seemed to consider 
him as an object of kindness. 

He could not, however, succeed in banishing her from his 
slumbers, when, after having spent a weary day, he betook 
himself to a perturbed couch. The form of Margaret mingled 
with the wild mass of dreams which his late adventures had 
suggested ; and even when, copying the lively narrative of Sir 
Mungo, fancy presented to him the blood bubbling and hissing 
on the heated iron, Margaret stood behind him, like a spirit 
of light, to breathe healing on the wound. At length nature 
was exhausted by these fantastic creations, and Nigel slept, 
and slept soundly, until awakened in the morning by the 
sound of a well-known voice, which had often broken his slum- 
bers about the same hour. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


445 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

Marry, come up, sir, with your gentle blood ! 

Here’s a red stream beneath this coarse blue doublet 
That warms the heart as kindly as if drawn 
From the far source of old Assyrian kings, 

Who first made mankind subject to their sway. 

Old Play. 

The sounds to which we alluded in our last were no other 
than the grumbling t6nes of Richie Moniplies’s voice. 

This worthy, like some other persons who rank high in 
their own opinion, was very apt, when he could have no other 
auditor, to hold conversation with one who was sure to be 
a willing listener — I mean with himself. He was now brush- 
ing and arranging Lord Glenvarloch’s clothes, with as much 
composure and quiet assiduity as if he had never been out of 
his service, and grumbling betwixt whiles to the following 
purpose : Humph — ay, time cloak and jerkin were through 
my hands ; I question if horse-hair has been passed over them 
since they and I last parted. The embroidery finely frayed 
too ; and the gold buttons of the cloak — by my conscience, and 
as I am an honest man, there is a round dozen of them gane! 
This comes of Alsatian frolics — God keep us with His grace 
and not give us over to our own devices ! I see no sword, but 
that will be in respect of present circumstances. ” 

Nigel for some time could not help believing that he was 
still in a dream, so improbable did it seem that his domestic, 
whom he supposed to be in Scotland, should have found him 
out, and obtained access to him, in his present circumstances. 
Looking through the curtains, however, he became well as- 
sured of the fact, when he beheld the stiff and bony length of 
Richie, with a visage charged with nearly double its ordinary 
degree of importance, employed sedulously in brushing his 
master^ s cloak, and refreshing with whistling or humming, 
from interval to interval, some snatch of an old melancholy 
Scottish ballad-tune. Although sufiBciently convinced of the 
identity of the party. Lord Glenvarloch could not help ex- 


446 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


pressing his surprise in the superfluous question : “ In the 
name of Heaven, Richie, is this you?’^ 

“And wha else snld it be, my lord?” answered Richie. 
“ I dreamna that your lordship’s levee in this place is like 
to be attended by ony that are not bonnden thereto by 
duty.” 

“I am rather surprised,” answered Nigel, “that it should 
be attended by any one at all — especially by you, Richie ; for 
you know that we parted, and I thought you had reached 
Scotland long since.” 

“ I crave your lordship’s pardon, but we have not parted 
yet, nor are soon likely so to do; for there gang twa folks’ 
votes to the unmaking of a bargain, as to the making of ane. 
Though it was your lordship’s pleasure so to conduct yourself 
that we were like to have parted, yet it was not, on reflection, 
my will to be gone. To be plain, if your lordship does not 
ken when you have a good servant, I ken when I have a kind 
master ; and to say truth, you will be easier served now than 
ever, for there is not much chance of your getting out of 
bounds.” 

“ I am indeed bound over to good behaviour, ” said Lord 
Glenvarloch, with a smile; “but I hope you will not take 
advantage of my situation to be too severe on my follies, 
Richie?” 

“God forbid, my lord — God forbid!” replied Richie, with 
an expression betwixt a conceited consciousness of superior 
wisdom and real feeling, “ especially in consideration of your 
lordship’s having a due sense of them. 1 did indeed remon- 
strate, as was my humble duty, but I scorn to cast that up to 
your lordship now. Na — na, I am mysell an erring creature, 
very conscious of some small weaknesses : there is no perfec- 
tion in man.” 

“But, Richie,” said Lord Glenvarloch, “although I am 
much obliged to you for your proffered service, it can be of 
little use to me here, and may be of prejudice to yourself.” 

“Your lordship shall pardon me again,” said Richie, whom 
the relative situation of the parties had invested with ten 
times his ordinary dogmatism ; “ but, as I will manage the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


447 


matter, your lordship shall be greatly benefited by my service, 
and I myself no whit prejudiced.” 

“ I see not how that can be, my friend, ” said Lord Glen- 

varloch, “ since even as to your pecuniary affairs ” 

Touching my pecuniars, my lord, ” replied Richie, “ I am 
indifferently weel provided; and, as it chancis, my living 
here will be no burden to your lordship or distress to myself. 
Only I crave permission to annex certain conditions to my 
servitude with your lordship.” 

Annex what you will, ” said Lord Glenvarloch, “ for you 
are pretty sure to take your own way whether you make any 
conditions or not. Since you will not leave me, which were, 
I think, your wisest course, you must, and I suppose will, 
serve me only on such terms as you like yourself.” 

“ All that I ask, my lord, ” said Richie, gravely, and with 
a tone of great moderation, ‘^is to have the uninterrupted 
command of my own motions, for certain important purposes 
which I have now in hand, always giving your lordship the 
solace of my company and attendance at such times as may 
be at once convenient for me and necessary for your ser- 
vice. ” 

“Of which, I suppose, you constitute yourself sole judge,” 
replied Nigel, smiling. 

“Unquestionably, my lord,” answered Richie, gravely; 
“ for your lordship can only know what yourself want ; where- 
as I, who see both sides of the picture, ken both what is the 
best for your affairs and what is the most needful for my 
own.” 

“Richie, my good friend,” said Nigel, “I fear this arrange- 
ment, which places the master much under the disposal of 
the servant, would scarce suit us if we were both at large ; 
but a prisoner as I am, I may be as well at your disposal as I 
am at that of so many other persons ; and so you may come 
and go as you list, for I suppose you will not take my advice, 
to return to your own country and leave me to my fate.” 

“ The deil be in my feet if I do, ” said Moniplies. “ I am 
not the lad to leave your lordship in foul weather, when I 
followed you and fed upon you through the whole summer 


448 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


day. And besides, there may be brave days behind, for a’ 
that has come and gane yet; for 

It’s hame, and it’s hame, and it’s hame we fain would be, 

Though the cloud is in the lift, and the wind is on the lea ; ‘ 

For the sun through the mirk blinks blithe on mine ee, 

Says: ‘ I’ll shine on ye yet in your ain country ! ’ ” 

Having sung this stanza in the manner of a ballad-singer 
whose voice has been cracked by matching his windpipe 
against the bugle of the north blast, Richie Moniplies aided 
Lord Glenvarloch to rise, attended his toilet with every pos- 
sible mark of the most solemn and deferential respect, then 
waited upon him at breakfast, and finally withdrew, pleading 
that he had business of importance, which would detain him 
for some hours. 

Although Lord Glenvarloch necessarily expected to be occa- 
sionally annoyed by the self-conceit and dogmatism of Richie 
Moniplies ’s character, yet he could not but feel the greatest 
pleasure from the firm and devoted attachment which this 
faithful follower had displayed in the present instance, and 
indeed promised himself an alleviation of the ennui of his 
imprisonment in having the advantage of his services. It 
was, therefore, with pleasure that he learned from the warder 
that his servant’s attendance would be allowed at all times 
when the general rules of the fortress permitted the entrance 
of strangers. 

In the mean while, the magnanimous Richie Moniplies had 
already reached Tower Wharf. Here, after looking with con- 
tempt on several scullers by whom he was plied, and whose 
services he rejected with a wave of his hand, he called with 
dignity, “First oars!” and stirred into activity several loung- 
ing tritons of the higher order, who had not, on his first ap- 
pearance, thought it worth while to accost him with proffers 
of service. He now took possession of a wherry, folded his 
arms within his ample cloak, and sitting down in the stern 
with an air of importance, commanded them to row to White- 
hall Stairs. Having reached the palace in safety, he de- 
manded to see Master Linklater, the uuder-clerk of his Maj- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


449 


esty’s kitchen. The reply was, that he was not to be spoken 
withal, being then employed in cooking a mess of cock-a-leekie 
for the King’s own mouth. 

“Tell him,” said Moniplies, “that it is a dear countryman 
of his who seeks to converse with him on matter of high 
import. ” 

“A dear countryman!” said Linklater, when this pressing 
message was delivered to him. “ Well, let him come in and 
be d — d, that I should say sae ! This now is some red-headed, 
long-legged, gillie- whitefoot frae the West Port, that, hear- 
ing of my promotion, is come up to be a turn-broche or 
deputy scullion through my interest. It is a great hinder- 
auce to any man who would rise in the world, to have such 
friends to hang by his skirts, in hope of being towed up along 
with him. Ha! Richie Moniplies, man, is it thou? And 
what has brought ye here? If they should ken thee for the 
loon that scared the horse the other day !” 

“No more o’ that, neighbour,” said Richie. “I am just 
here on the auld errand: I maun speak with the King.” 

“The King! Ye are red-wud,” said Linklater ; then shout- 
ed to his assistants in the kitchen, “ Look to the broaches, 
ye knaves. Pisces purga. Salsamenta fac macerentur pul- 
chre. I will make you understand Latin, ye knaves, as be- 
comes the scullions of King James.” Then in a cautious 
tone, to Richie’s private ear, he continued: “Know ye not 
how ill your master came off the other day? I can teU you 
that job made some folk shake for their office.” 

“Weel, but, Laurie, ye maun befriend me this time, and 
get this wee bit siffiication slipped into his Majesty’s ain most 
gracious hand. I promise you the contents will be most 
grateful to him.” 

“ Richie, ” answered Linklater, “ you have certainly sworn 
to say your prayers in the porter’s lodge, with your back bare, 
and twa grooms, with dog-whips, to cry ‘amen’ to you.” 

“Na — na, Laurie, lad,” said Richie, “I ken better what 
belangs to sifflications than I did yon day ; and ye will say that 
yoursell, if ye will but get that bit note to the King’s hand.” 

“ I will have neither hand nor foot in the matter, ” said the 
29 


450 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


cautious clerk of the kitchen; “but there is his Majesty’s 
mess of cock-a-leekie just going to be served to him in his 
closet; I cannot prevent you from putting the letter between 
the gilt bowl and the platter; his sacred Majesty will see it 
when he lifts the bowl, for he aye drinks out the broth.” 

“ Enough said, ” replied Richie, and deposited the paper ac- 
cordingly, just before a page entered to carry away the mess 
to his Majesty. 

“ Aweel — aweel, neighbour, ” said Laurence, when the mess 
was taken away, “ if ye have done ony thing to bring yoursell 
to the withy or the scourging-post, it is your ain wilful deed. ” 

“ I will blame no other for it, ” said Richie ; and, with that 
undismayed pertinacity of conceit which made a fundamental 
part of his character, he abode the issue, which was not long 
of arriving. 

In a few minutes Maxwell himself arrived in the apartment, 
and demanded hastily who had placed a writing on the King’s 
trencher. Linklater denied all knowledge of it; but Richie 
Moniplies, stepping boldly forth, pronounced the emphatical 
confession, “ I am the man. ” 

“ Follow me, then, ” said Maxwell, after regarding him with 
a look of great curiosity. 

They went up a private staircase — even that private stair- 
case the privilege of which at court is accounted a nearer road 
to power than the grandes entrees themselves. Arriving in 
what Richie described as an “ ill redd-up” ante-room, the 
usher made a sign to him to stop, while he went into the 
King’s closet. Their conference was short, and as Maxwell 
opened the door to retire, Richie heard the conclusion of it. 

“ Ye are sure he is not dangerous? I was caught once. 
Bide within call, but not nearer the door than within three 
geometrical cubits. If I speak loud, start to me like a falcon. 
If I speak loun, keep your lang lugs out of ear-shot ; and now 
let him come in. ” 

Richie passed forward at Maxwell’s mute signal, and in a 
moment found himself in the presence of the King. Most 
men of Richie’s birth and breeding, and many others, would 
have been abashed at finding themselves alone with their sov- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


461 


ereign. But Richie Moniplies had an opinion of himself too 
high to be controlled by any such ideas ; and having made his 
stiff reverence, he arose once more into his perpendicular 
height, and stood before James as stiff as a hedge-stake. 

“ Have ye gotten them, man? — have ye gotten them?” said 
the King, in a fluttered state, betwixt hope and eagerness, 
and some touch of suspicious fear. Gie me them — gie me 
them — before ye speak a word, I charge you, on your alle- 
giance. ” 

Richie took a box from his bosom, and, stooping on one 
knee, presented it to his Majesty, who hastily opened it, and 
having ascertained that it contained a certain carcanet of 
rubies, with which the reader was formerly made acquainted, 
he could not resist falling into a sort of rapture, kissing the 
gems, as if they had been capable of feeling, and repeating 
again and again with childish delight, Onyx cum prolcj si- 
lexque — onyx cum prole ! Ah, my bright and bonny sparklers, 
my heart loups light to see you again.” He then turned to 
Richie, upon whose stoical countenance his Majesty’s de- 
meanour had excited something like a grim smile, which 
James interrupted his rejoicing to reprehend, saying : “ Take 
heed, sir, you are not to laugh at us : we are your anointed 
sovereign.” 

“God forbid that I should laugh!” said Richie, composing 
his countenance into its natural rigidity. “ I did but smile, 
to bring my visage into coincidence and conformity with your 
Majesty’s physiognomy.” 

“Ye speak as a dutiful subject and an honest man,” said 
the King; “ but what deil’s your name, man?” 

“ Even Richie Moniplies, the son of auld Mungo Moniplies, 
at the West Port of Edinburgh, who had the honour to supply 
your Majesty’s mother’s royal table, as weel as your Maj- 
esty’s, with flesh and other vivers, when time was.” 

“Aha!” said the King, laughing; for he possessed, as a 
useful attribute of his situation, a tenacious memory, which 
recollected every one with whom he was brought into casual 
contact — “ye are the self-same traitor who had weelnigh 
coupit us endlang on the causey of our ain courtyard? But 


462 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


we stuck by our mare. Equam memento rebus in arduis ser^ 
vare. Weel, be not aismayed, Richie; for, as many men have 
turned traitors, it is but fair that a traitor, now and then, 
suld prove to be, contra expectanda^ a true man. How cam 
ye by our jewels, man? cam ye on the part of George He- 
riot?” 

In no sort,” said Richie. “ May it please your Majesty, J 
come as Harry Wynd fought, utterly for my own hand, and 
on no man’s errand; as indeed I caU no one master, save Him 
that made me, your most gracious Majesty who governs me, 
and the noble Nigel Olifaunt, Lord of Glenvarloch, who main- 
tained me as lang as he could maintain himself, poor noble- 
man!” 

Glenvarlochides again!” exclaimed the King; “by my 
honour, he lies in ambush for us at every corner! Maxwell 
knocks at the door. It is George Heriot come to tell us he 
cannot find these jewels. Get thee behind the arras, Richie 
— stand close, man — sneeze not — cough not — breathe not ! 
Jingling Geordie is so damnably ready with his gold-ends of 
wisdom, and sae accursedly backward with his gold-ends of 
siller, that, by our royal saul, we are glad to get a hair in his 
neck.” 

Richie got behind the arras, in obedience to the commands 
of the good-natured King, while the monarch, who never 
allowed his dignity to stand in the way of a frolic, having ad- 
justed, with his own hand, the tapestry so as to complete the 
ambush, commanded Maxwell to tell him what was the mat- 
ter without. Maxwell’s reply was so low as to be lost by 
Richie Moniplies, the peculiarity of whose situation by no 
means abated his curiosity and desire to gratify it to the 
uttermost. 

“ Let Geordie Heriot come in, ” said the King ; and, as Richie 
could observe through a slit in the tapestry, the honest citi- 
zen, if not actually agitated, was at least discomposed. The 
King, whose talent for wit, or humour, was precisely of a 
kind to be gratified by such a scene as ensued, received his 
homage with coldness, and began to talk to him with an air 
of serious dignity, very different from the usual indecorous 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


453 


levity of his behaviour. “ Master Heriot, ” he said, “ if we 
aright remember, we opignorated in your hands certain jewels 
of the crown, for a certain sum of money. Did we or did 
we not?” 

“ My most gracious sovereign, ” said Heriot, “ indisputably 
your Majesty was pleased to do so.” 

“ The property of which jewels and cimelia remained with 
us,” continued the King, in the same solemn tone, ‘‘subject 
only to your claim of advance thereupon; which advance 
being repaid gives us right to repossession of the thing opig- 
norated, or pledged, or laid in wad. Voetius, Vinnius, Gro- 
enwegeneus, Pagenstecherus — all who have treated de con- 
tractu opignerationis — consentiunt in eundum — gree on the 
same point. The Roman law, the English common law, and 
the municipal law of our ain ancient kingdom of Scotland, 
though they split in mair particulars ohan I could desire, unite 
as strictly in this as the three strands of a twisted rope. ” 

“May it please j'our Majesty,” replied Heriot, “it requires 
not so many learned authorities to prove to any honest man 
that his interest in a pledge is determined when the money 
lent is restored.” 

“ Weel, sir, I proffer restoration of the sum lent, and I de- 
mand to be repossessed of the jewels pledged with you. I 
give ye a hint, brief while since, that this would be essential 
to my service, for, as approaching events are like to call us 
into public, it would seem strange if we did not appear with 
those ornaments, which are heirlooms of the crown, and the 
absence whereof is like to place us in contempt and suspicion 
with our liege subjects.” 

Master George Heriot seemed much moved by this address 
of his sovereign, and replied with emotion : “ I call Heaven to 
witness, that I am totally harmless in this matter, and that I 
would willingly lose the sum advanced, so that I could restore 
those jewels, the absence of which your Majesty so justly 
laments. Had the jewels remained with me, the account of 
them would be easily rendered; but your Majesty will do me 
the justice to remember that, by your express order, I trans- 
ferred them to another person, who advanced a large sum. 


454 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


just about the time of my departure for Paris. The money 
was pressingly wanted, and no other means to come by it oc- 
curred to me. I told your Majesty, when I brought the need- 
ful supply, that the man from whom the monies were obtained 
was of no good repute, and your most princely answer was, 
smelling to the gold : ‘‘ Non olet — it smells not of the means 
that have gotten it.^” 

“ Weel, man,” said the King, “but what needs a’ this din? 
If ye gave my jewels in pledge to such a one, suld ye not, as 
a liege subject, have taken care that the redemption was in 
our power? And are we to suffer the loss of our cimelia by 
your neglect, besides being exposed to the scorn and censure 
of our lieges and of the foreign ambassadors?” 

“ My lord and liege king, ” said Heriot, “ God knows, if 
my bearing blame or shame in this matter would keep it from 
your Majesty, it were my duty to endure both, as a servant 
grateful for many benefits ; but when your Majesty considers 
the violent death of the man himself, the disappearance of 
his daughter and of his wealth, I trust you will remember 
that I warned your Majesty, in humble duty, of the possi- 
bility of such casualties, and prayed you not to urge me to 
deal with him on your behalf.” 

“ But you brought me nae better means, ” said the King — 
“Geordie, ye brought me nae better means. I was like a 
deserted man ; what could I do but grip to the first siller that 
offered, as a drowning man grasps to the willow-wand that 
comes readiest? And now, man, what for have ye not brought 
back the jewels? They are surely above ground, if ye wad 
make strict search.” 

“All strict search has been made, may it please your Maj- 
esty,” replied the citizen: “hue and cry has been sent out 
everywhere, and it has been found impossible to recover them.” 

“Difficult, ye mean, Geordie, not impossible,” replied the 
King ; “ for that whilk is impossible is either naturally so, 
exempli gratia, to make two into three ; or morally so, as to 
make what is truth falsehood ; but what is only difficult may 
come to pass, with assistance of wisdom and patience ; as, for 
example. Jingling Geordie, look here!” And he displayed 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


455 


the recovered treasure to the eyes of the astonished jeweller, 
exclaiming, with great triumph: “What say ye to that, ding- 
ier? By my sceptre and crown, the man stares as if he took 
his native prince for a warlock ! us that are the very malleus 
malificarumy the contunding and contriturating hammer of all 
witches, sorcerers, magicians, and the like ; he thinks we are 
taking a touch of the black art oursells ! But gang thy way, 
honest Geordie; thou art a good plain man, hut nane of the 
seven sages of Greece — gang thy way, and mind the soothfast 
word which you spoke, small time syne, that there is one 
in this land that comes near to Solomon, King of Israel, in 
all his gifts, except in his love to strange women, forbye the 
daughter of Pharaoh.” 

If Heriot was surprised at seeing the jewels so unexpectedly 
produced at the moment the King was upbraiding him for the 
loss of them, this allusion to the reflection which had escaped 
him while conversing with Lord Glenvarloch altogether com- 
pleted his astonishment ; and the King was so delighted with 
the superiority which it gave him at the moment, that he 
rubbed his hands, chuckled, and, finally, his sense of dignity 
giving way to the full feeling of triumph, he threw himself 
into his easy-chair, and laughed with unconstrained violence 
till he lost his breath, and the tears ran plentifully down his 
cheeks as he strove to recover it. Meanwhile, the royal 
cachinnation was echoed out by a discordant and portentous 
laugh from behind the arras, like that of one who, little ac- 
customed to give way to such emotions, feels himself at some 
particular impulse unable either to control or to modify his 
obstreperous mirth. Heriot turned his head with new sur- 
prise towards the place from which sounds so unfitting the 
presence of a monarch seemed to burst with such emphatic 
clamour. * 

The King, too, somewhat sensible of the indecorum, rose 
up, wiped his eyes, and calling, “Tod Lowrie, come out o^ 
your den, ” he produced from behind the arras the length of 
Richie Moniplies, still laughing with as unrestrained mirth 
as ever did gossip at a country christening. “ Whisht, man — 

» See Richie Moniplies behind the Arras. Note 40. 


456 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


whisht, man, ” said the King j “ ye needna nicher that gait, 
like a cusser at a caup o’ corn, e’en though it was a pleasing 
jest, and our ain framing. And yet to see Jingling Geordie, 
that hands himself so much the wiser than other folk — to see 
him — ha! ha! ha! — in the vein of Euclio apud Plautum, dis- 
tressing himself to recover what was lying at his elbow — 

Peril, interii, occidi — quo curram ? quo non curram ? — 

Tene, tene — quern? quis? nescio — nihil video. 

Ah! Geordie, your een are sharp enough to look after gowd 
and silver, gems, rubies, and the like of that, and yet ye 
kenna how to come by them when they are lost. Ay — ay, 
look at them, man — look at them; they are a’ right and 
tight, sound and round, not a doublet crept in amongst them.” 

George Heriot, when his first surprise was over, was too 
old a courtier to interrupt the King’s imaginary triumph, al- 
though he darted a look of some displeasure at honest Richie, 
who still continued on what is usually termed the broad grin. 
He quietly examined the stones, and finding them all perfect, 
he honestly and sincerely congratulated his Majesty on the 
recovery of a treasure which could not have been lost with- 
out some dishonour to the crown ; and asked to whom he him- 
seK was to pay the sums for which they had been pledged, 
observing, that he had the money by him in readiness. 

“ Ye are in a deevil of a hurry, when there is paying in the 
case, Geordie,” said the King. “What’s a’ the haste, man? 
The jewels were restored by an honest, kindly countryman of 
ours. There he stands, and wha kens if he wants the money 
on the nail, or if he might not be as weel pleased wi’ a bit 
rescript on our treasury some six months hence? Ye ken that 
our exchequer is even at a low ebb just now, and ye cry 
‘pay — pay — pay,’ as if we had all the mines of Ophir.” 

“Please your Majesty,” said Heriot, “if this man has the 
real right to these monies, it is doubtless at his will to grant 
forbearance, if he will. But when I remember the guise in 
which I first saw him, with a tattered cloak and a broken 
head, I can hardly conceive it. Are not you Richie Moni- 
plies, with the King’s favour?” 

“ Even sae, Master Heriot — of the ancient and honourable 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


457 


house of Castle Collop, near to the West Port of Edinburgh,’^ 
answered Richie. 

“Why, please your Majesty, he is a poor serving-man,” said 
Heriot. “ This money can never be honestly at his disposal. ” 

“ What for no?” said the King. “Wad ye have naebody 
spraickle up the brae but yoursell, Geordie? Your ain cloak 
was thin enough when ye cam here, though ye have lined it 
gay and week And for serving-men, there has mony a red- 
shank come over the Tweed wi^ his master’s wallet on his 
shoulders, that now rustles it wi’ his six followers behind 
him. There stands the man himsell; speer at him, Geordie.” 

“ His may not be the best authority in the case, ” answered 
the cautious citizen. 

“Tut — tut, man,” said the King, “ye are over scrupulous. 
The knave deer-stealers have an apt phrase, “ Non est in- 
quirendum unde venit venison.” He that brings the gudes 
hath surely a right to dispose of the gear. Hark ye, friend, 
speak the truth and shame the deil. Have ye plenary pow- 
ers to dispose on the redemption-money as to delay of payments 
or the like, ay or no?” 

“Full power, an it like your gracious Majesty,” answered 
Richie Moniplies ; “ and I am maist willing to subscrive to 
whatsoever may in ony wise accommodate your Majesty anent 
the redemption-money, trusting your Majesty’s grace will be 
kind to me in one sma’ favour.” 

“Ey, man,” said the King, “come ye to me there? I 
thought ye wad e’en be like the rest of them. One would 
think our subjects’ lives and goods were all our ain, and 
holden of us at our free will ; but when we stand in need of 
ony matter of siller from them, which chances more frequently 
than we would it did, deil a boddle is to be had, save on the 
auld terms of giff-gaff. It is just nift’er for niffer. Aweel, 
neighbour, what is it that ye want — some monopoly, I reckon? 
Or it may be a grant of kirk lands and teinds, or a knight- 
hood or the like? Ye maun be reasonable, unless ye propose 
to advance more money for our present occasions.” 

“My liege,” answered Richie Moniplies, “the owner of 
these monies places them at your Majesty’s command, free of 


458 


WAVERLBY NOVELS. 


all pledge or usage as long as it is your royal pleasure, pro- 
viding your Majesty will condescend to show some favour to 
the noble Lord Glenvarloch, presently prisoner in your royal 
Tower of London. ’’ 

“How, man — how, man — how, man!” exclaimed the King, 
reddening and stammering, but with emotions more noble 
than those by which he was sometimes agitated. “ What is 
that you dare to say to us? Sell our justice! — sell our mercy! 
and we a crowned king, sworn to do justice to our subjects in 
the gate, and responsible for our stewardship to Him that is 
over all kings?” Here he reverently looked up, touched his 
bonnet, and continued, with some sharpness: “We dare not 
traffic in such commodities, sir ; and, but that ye are a poor 
ignorant creature, that have done us this day some not un- 
pleasant service, we wad have a red iron driven through your 
tongue, in terrorem of others. Awa’ with him, Geordie; pay 
him, plack and bawbee, out of our monies in your hands, and 
let them care that come ahint.” 

Eichie, who had counted with the utmost certainty upon 
the success of this master-stroke of policy, was like an archi- 
tect whose whole scaffolding at once gives way under him. 
He caught, however, at what he thought might break his fall. 
“Not only the sum for which the jewels were pledged,” he 
said, “ but the double of it, if required, should be placed at 
his Majesty’s command, and even without hope or condition 
of repayment, if only ” 

But the King did not allow him to complete the sentence, 
crying out with greater vehemence than before, as if he 
dreaded the stability of his own good resolutions : “ Awa’ wi’ 
him — swith aw a’ wi’ him! It is time he were gane, if he 
doubles his bode that gate. And, for your life, letna Steenie 
or ony of them hear a word from his mouth ; for wha kens 
what trouble that might bring me into ! Ne inducas in tenta- 
tionem. Vade retro^ Sathanas ! Amen.^' 

In obedience to the royal mandate, George Heriot hurried 
the abashed petitioner out of the presence and out of the pal- 
ace ; and, when they were in the palace-yard, the citizen, re- 
membering with some resentment the airs of equality which 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


469 


Richie had assumed towards him in the commencement of the 
scene which had just taken place, could not forbear to retali- 
ate, by congratulating him with an ironical smile on his favour 
at court, and his improved grace in presenting a supplication. 

Never fash your beard about that. Master George Heriot,” 
said Richie, totally undismayed; ‘‘but tell me when and 
where I am to sifflicate you for eight hundred pounds ster- 
ling, for which these jewels stood engaged?” 

“ The instant that you bring with you the real owner of the 
money, ” replied Heriot ; “ whom it is important that I should 
see on more accounts than one.” 

“Then will I back to his Majesty,” said Richie Moniplies, 
stoutly, “ and get either the money or the pledge back again. 
I am fully commissionate to act in that matter. ” 

“ It may be so, Richie, ” said the citizen, “ and perchance 
it may not be so neither, for your tales are not all gospel ; 
and, therefore, be assured I will see that it is so ere I pay 
you that large sum of money. I shall give you an acknowl- 
edgment for it, and I will keep it prestable at a moment^ s 
warning. But, my good Richard Moniplies of Castle Collop, 
near the West Port of Edinburgh, in the mean time I am bound 
to return to his Majesty on matters of weight.” So speaking, 
and mounting the stair to re-enter the palace, he added, by 
way of summing up the whole : “ George Heriot is over old a 
cock to be caught with chaff.” 

Richie stood petrified when he beheld him re-enter the pal- 
ace, and found himself, as he supposed, left in the lurch. 
“Now, plague on ye,” he muttered, “for a cunning auld skin- 
flint! that, because ye are an honest man yoursell, forsooth, 
must needs deal with all the world as if they were knaves. 
But deil be in me if ye beat me yet I Gude guide us ! yonder 
comes Laurie Linklater next, and he will be on me about the 
sifflication. I winna stand him, by St. Andrew!” 

So saying, and changing the haughty stride with which he 
had that morning entered the precincts of the palace into a 
skulking shamble, he retreated for his wherry, which was in 
attendance, with speed which, to use the approved phrase on 
such occasions, greatly resembled a flight. 


460 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

Benedict. This looks not like a nuptial. 

Much Ado about Nothing. 

Master George Heriot had no sooner returned to the 
King’s apartment than James inquired of Maxwell if the Earl 
of Huntinglen was in attendance, and, receiving an answer in 
the affirmative, desired that he should be admitted. The old 
Scottish lord having made his reverence in the usual manner, 
the King extended his hand to be kissed, and then began to 
address him in a tone of great sympathy. 

“ We told your lordship in our secret epistle of this morn- 
ing, written with our ain hand, in testimony we have neither 
pretermitted nor forgotten your faithful service, that we had 
that to communicate to you that would require both patience 
and fortitude to endure, and therefore exhorted you to peruse 
some of the most pithy passages of Seneca, and of Boethius, 
Ve Consolatione, that the back may be, as we say, fitted for 
the burden. This we commend to you from our ain experi- 
ence. 

Non ignara mail, miseris succurrere disco, 

sayeth Dido, and I might say in my own person, non ignarus; 
but to change the gender would affect the prosody, whereof 
our southern subjects are tenacious. So, ‘my lord of Hunt- 
inglen, I trust you have acted by our advice, and studied pa- 
tience before ye need it. Venienti occurrite morho : mix the 
medicament when the disease is coming on.” 

^^May it please your Majesty,” answered Lord Huntinglen, 
“ I am more of an old soldier than a scholar ; and if my own 
rough nature will not bear me out in any calamity, I hope I 
shall have grace to try a text of Scripture to boot.” 

Ay, man, are you there with your bears?” said the King; 
‘‘the Bible, man (touching his cap), is indeed principium et 
fons ; but it is pity your lordship cannot peruse it in the orig- 
inal. For although we did ourselves promote that work of 
translation — since ye may read, at the beginning of every 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


461 


Bible, that, when some palpable clouds of darkness were 
thought like to have overshadowed the land, after the setting 
of that bright occidental star. Queen Elizabeth ; yet our ap- 
pearance, like that of the sun in his strength, instantly dis- 
pelled these surmised mists — I say that, although, as therein 
mentioned, we countenanced the preaching of the Gospel, and 
especially the translation of the Scriptures out of the original 
sacred tongues; yet, nevertheless, we ourselves confess to 
have found a comfort in consulting them in the original He- 
brew whilk we do not perceive even in the Latin version of 
the Septuagint, much less in the English traduction.’^ 

“Please your Majesty,” said Lord Huntinglen, “if your 
Majesty delays communicating the bad news with which your 
honoured letter threatens me until I am capable to read He- 
brew like your Majesty, I fear I shall die in ignorance of the 
misfortune which hath befallen, or is about to befall, my 
house.” 

“You will learn it but too soon, my lord,” replied the 
King. “ I grieve to say it, but your son Dalgarno, whom I 
thought a very saint, as he was so much with Steenie and 
Baby Charles, hath turned out a very villain.” 

“Villain!” repeated Lord Huntinglen; and though he in- 
stantly checked himself, and added, “ but it is your Majesty 
speaks the word, ” the effect of his first tone made the King 
step back as if he had received a blow. He also recovered 
himself again, and said in the pettish way which usually indi- 
cated his displeasure : “ Yes, my lord, it was we that said it. 
Non surdo canis : we are not deaf, we pray you not to raise 
your voice in speech with us. There is the bonny memorial; 
read and judge for yourself.” 

The King then thrust into the old nobleman’s hand a paper, 
containing the story of the Lady Hermione, with the evidence 
by which it was supported, detailed so briefly and clearly that 
the infamy of Lord Dalgarno, the lover by whom she had been 
so shamefully deceived, seemed undeniable. 

But a father yields not up so easily the cause of his son. 
“May it please your Majesty,” he said, “why was this tale 
not sooner told? This woman hath been here for years; 


462 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


wherefore was the claim on my son not made the instant she 
touched English ground?” 

“Tell him how that came about, Geordie,” said the King, 
addressing Heriot. 

I grieve to distress my Lord Huntinglen, ” said Heriot ; 
“ but I must speak the truth. For a long time the Lady Her- 
mione could not brook the idea of making her situation pub- 
lic; and when her mind became changed in that particular, it 
was necessary to recover the evidence of the false marriage, 
and letters and papers connected with it, which, when she 
came to Paris, and just before I saw her, she had deposited 
with a correspondent of her father in that city. He became 
afterwards bankrupt, and in consequence of that misfortune the 
lady’s papers passed into other hands, and it was only a few 
days since I traced and recovered them. Without these docu- 
ments of evidence, it would have been imprudent for her to 
have preferred her complaint, favoured as Lord Dalgarno is 
by powerful friends.” 

“ Ye are saucy to say sae,” said the King; “ I ken what ye 
mean weel eneugh : ye think Steenie wad hae putteh the weight 
of his foot into the scales of justice, and garr’d them whomle 
the bucket; ye forget, Geordie, wha it is whose hand up- 
haulds them. And ye do poor Steenie the mair wrang, for 
he confessed at ance before us and our privy council that 
Dalgarno would have put the quean aff on him, the puir sim- 
ple bairn, making him trow that she was a light o’ love ; in 
whilk mind he remained assured even when he parted from 
her, albeit Steenie might hae weel thought ane of thae cattle 
wadna hae resisted the like of him.” 

“The Lady Hermione,” said George Heriot, “has always 
done the utmost justice to the conduct of the Duke, who, al- 
though strongly possessed with prejudice against her char- 
acter, yet scorned to avail himself of her distress, and on the 
contrary supplied her with the means of extricating herself 
from her difficulties.” 

“ Is was e’en like himsell — blessings on his bonny face !” 
said the King; “and I believed this lady’s tale the mair 
readily, my Lord Huntinglen, that she spake nae ill of 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


463 


Steenie; and to make a lang tale short, my lord, it is the 
opinion of our council and ourself, as weel as of Baby Charles 
and Steenie, that your son maun amend his wrong by wed- 
ding this lady, or undergo such disgrace and discountenance 
as we can bestow.” 

The person to whom he spoke was incapable of answering 
him. He stood before the King motionless, and glaring with 
eyes of which even the lids seemed immovable, as if suddenly 
converted into an ancient statue of the times of chivalry, so 
instantly had his hard features and strong limbs been ar- 
rested into rigidity by the blow he had received. And in a 
second afterwards, like the same statue when the lightning 
breaks upon it, he sunk at once to the ground with a heavy 
groan. 

The King was in the utmost alarm, called upon Heriot and 
Maxwell for help, and, presence of mind not being his forte, 
ran to and fro in his cabinet, exclaiming : My ancient and 
beloved servant — who saved our anointed self! Vae atque 
dolor ! My Lord of Huntinglen, look up — look up, man, and 
your son may marry the Queen of Sheba if he will.” 

By this time Maxwell and Heriot had raised the old noble- 
man and placed him on a chair ; while the King, observing 
that he began to recover himself, continued his consolations 
more methodically. • 

“ Hand up your head — haud up your head, and listen to 
your ain kind native prince. If there is shame, man, it 
comesna empty-handed: there is siller to gild it — a gude 
tocher, and no that bad a pedigree ; if she has been a loon, it 
was your son made her sae, and he can make her an honest 
woman again.” 

These suggestions, however reasonable in the common case, 
gave no comfort to Lord Huntinglen, if indeed he fully com- 
prehended them j but the blubbering of his good-natured old 
master, which began to accompany and interrupt his royal 
speech, produced more rapid effect. The large tear gushed 
reluctantly from his eye, as he kissed the withered hands, 
which the King, weeping with less dignity and restraint, 
abandoned to him, first alternately and then both together. 


464 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


until the feelings of the man getting entirely the better of 
the sovereign's sense of dignity, he grasped and shook Lord 
Huntinglen's hands with the sympathy of an equal and a fa- 
miliar friend. 

Compone lachrymas, ” said the monarch — ‘‘ be patient, man 
— be patient. The council, and Baby Charles, and Steenie 
may a’ gang to the deevil ; he shall not marry her since it 
moves you so deeply. 

^‘He SHALL marry her, by God!” answered the earl, draw- 
ing himself up, dashing the tear from his eyes, and endeav- 
ouring to recover his composure. “ I pray your Majesty’s 
pardon, but he shall marry her, with her dishonour for her 
dowry, were she the veriest courtezan in aU Spain. If he 
gave his word, he shall make his word good, were it to the 
meanest creature that haunts the streets; he shall do it, or 
my own dagger shall take the life that I gave him. If he 
could stoop to use so base a fraud, though to deceive infamy, 
let him wed infamy.” 

“No — no!” the monarch continued to insinuate, “things 
are not so bad as that : Steenie himself never thought of her 
being a street-walker, even when he thought the worst of her.” 

“ If it can at all console my Lord of Huntinglen, ” said the 
citizen, “ I can assure him of this lady’s good birth and most 
fair and unspotted fame. ” 

“ I am sorry for it, ” said Huntinglen ; then interrupting 
himself, he said: “Heaven forgive me for being ungrateful 
for such comfort! but I am wellnigh sorry she should be as 
you represent her — so much better than the villain deserves. 
To be condemned to wed beauty and innocence and honest 
birth ” 

“ Ay, and wealth, my lord — wealth, ” insinuated the King 
— “is a better sentence than his perfidy has deserved.” 

“It is long,” said the embittered father, “since I saw he 
was selfish and hard-hearted; but to be a perjured liar — I 
never dreaded that such a blot would have fallen on my race ! 
I will never look on him again.” 

“Hoot ay, my lord — hoot ay,” said the King; “ye maun 
tak him to task roundly. I grant you should speak more in 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


465 


the vein of Demea than Mitio, vi nempe et via pervulgata 
patram ; but as for not seeing him again, and he your only 
son, that is altogether out of reason. I tell ye, man — but I 
would not for a boddle that Baby Charles heard me — that he 
might gie the glaiks to half the lasses of Lonnun, ere I could 
find in my heart to speak such harsh words as you have said 
of this deil of a Dalgarno of yours. ” 

“May it please your Majesty to permit me to retire,^’ said 
Lord Huntinglen ; “ and dispose of the case according to your 
own royal sense of justice, for I desire no favour for him.” 

“ Aweel, my lord, so be it ; and if your lordship can think, ” 
added the monarch, “ of anything in our power which might 
comfort you ” 

“Your Majesty’s gracious sympathy,” said Lord Huntin- 
glen, “ has already comforted me as far as earth can ; the rest 
must be from the King of kings.” 

“ To Him I commend you, my auld and faithful servant, ” 
said James with emotion, as the earl withdrew from his pres- 
ence. The King remained fixed in thought for some time, and 
then said to Heriot: “Jingling Geordie, ye ken all the privy 
doings of our court, and have dune so these thirty years, 
though, like a wise man, ye hear, and see, and say nothing. 
Now, there is a thing I fain wad ken, in the way of philo- 
sophical inquiry : Did you ever hear of the umquhile Lady 
Huntinglen, the departed countess of this noble earl, ganging 
a wee bit gleed in her walk through the world ; I mean in the 
way of slipping a foot, casting a leglin-girth ’ or the like, ye 
understand me?” 

“ On my word as an honest man, ” said George Heriot, 
somewhat surprised at the question, “I never heard her 
wronged by the slightest breath of suspicion. She was a 
worthy lady, very circumspect in her walk, and lived in great 
concord with her husband, save that the good countess was 
something of a Puritan, and kept more company with minis- 
ters than was altogether agreeable to Lord Huntinglen, who 
is, as your Majesty well knows, a man of the old rough world, 
that will drink and swear.” 


30 


See Note 41. 


466 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“0 Geordie!” exclaimed the King, ‘‘these are auld-warld 
frailties, of whilk we dare not pronounce even ourselves ab- 
solutely free. But the warld grows worse from day to day, 
Geordie. The juveniles of this age may weel say with the 
poet — 

^tas parentum, pejor avis, tulit 

Nos nequiores 

This Dalgarno does not drink so much or swear so much as 
his father ; but he wenches, Geordie, and he breaks his word 
and oath baith. As to what you say of the leddy and the 
ministers, we are a’ fallible creatures, Geordie, priests and 
kings, as well as others ; and wha kens but what that may 
account for the difference between this Dalgarno and his fa- 
ther? The earl is the vera soul of honour, and cares nae mair 
for warld’ s gear than a noble hound for the quest of a foul- 
mart; but as for his son, he was like to brazen us a’ out — 
ourselves, Steenie, Baby Charles, and our council — till he 
heard of the tocher, and then, by my kingly crown, he lap 
like a cock at a grossart! These are discrepancies betwixt 
parent and son not to be accounted for naturally, according to 
Baptista Porta, Michael Scott, De secretis, and others. Ah, 
Jingling Geordie, if your clouting the caldron, and jingling 
on pots, pans, and veshels of all manner of metal, hadna 
jingled a’ your grammar out of your head, I could have 
touched on that matter to you at mair length.” 

Heriot was too plain-spoken to express much concern for 
the loss of his grammar learning on this occasion ; but after 
modestly hinting that he had seen many men who could not 
fill their father’s bonnet, though no one had been suspected 
of wearing their father’s night-cap, he inquired “whether 
Lord Dalgarno had consented to do the Lady Hermione 
justice.” 

“ Troth, man, I have small doubt that he will, ” quoth the 
King. “ I gave him the schedule of her worldly substance, 
which you delivered to us in the council, and we allowed him 
half an hour to chew the cud upon that. It is rare reading 
for bringing him to reason. I left Baby Charles and Steenie 
laying his duty before him ; and if he can resist doing what 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


467 


they desire him — why, I wish he would teach me the gate of 
it. 0 Geordie — Jingling Geordie, it was grand to hear Baby 
Charles laying down the guilt of dissimulation, and Steenie 
lecturing on the turpitude of incontinence!’^ 

“ I am afraid, ” said George Heriot, more hastily than pru- 
dently, “ I might have thought of the old proverb of Satan 
reproving sin.” 

“Deil hae our saul, neighbour,” said the King, reddening, 
“ but ye are not blate I I gie ye license to speak freely, and, 
by our saul, ye do not let the privilege become lost non 
utendo ; it will suffer no negative prescription in your hands. 
Is it fit, think ye, that Baby Charles should let his thoughts be 
publicly seen? Ko — no, princes’ thoughts are arcana impe- 
rii. Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare. Every liege subject 
is bound to speak the whole truth to the king, but there is nae 
reciprocity of obligation. And for Steenie having been whiles 
a dike-louper at a time, is it for you, who are his goldsmith, 
and to whom, I doubt, he awes an uncomeatable sum, to cast 
that up to him?” 

Heriot did not feel himself called on to play the part of 
Zeno, and sacrifice himself for upholding the cause of moral 
truth ; he did not desert it, however, by disavowing his words, 
but simply expressed sorrow for having offended his Majesty, 
with which the placable king was sufficiently satisfied. 

And now, Geordie, man,” quoth he, ‘^we will to this cul- 
prit, and hear what he has to say for himself, for I will see 
the job cleared this blessed day. . Ye maun come wi’ me, for 
your evidence may be wanted.” 

The King led the way, accordingly, into a larger apart- 
ment, where the Prince, the Duke of Buckingham, and one 
or two privy councillors were seated at a table, before which 
stood Lord Dalgarno, in an attitude of as much elegant ease 
and indifference as could be expressed, considering the stiff 
dress and manners of the times. 

All rose and bowed reverently, while the King, to use a 
north-country word expressive of his mode of locomotion, 
“ toddled” to his chair or throne, making a sign to Heriot to 
stand behind him. 


468 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“We hope/’ said his Majesty, “that Lord Dalgarno stands 
prepared to do justice to this unfortunate lady and to his own 
character and honour?” 

“May I humbly inquire the penalty,” said Lord Dalgarno, 
“in case I should unhappily find compliance with your Maj- 
esty’s demands impossible?” 

“Banishment frae our court, my lord,” said the King — 
“ frae bur court and our countenance. ” 

“Unhappy exile that I may be!” said Lord Dalgarno, in a 
tone of subdued irony, “ I will at least carry your Majesty’s 
picture with me, for I shall never see such another king.” 

“And banishment, my lord,” said the Prince, sternly, 
“from these our dominions.” 

“ That must be by form of law, please your Royal High- 
ness,” said Dalgarno, with ad affectation of deep respect ; “ and 
I have not heard that there is a statute compelling us, under 
such penalty, to marry every woman we may play the fool 
with. Perhaps his Grace of Buckingham can tell me.” 

“You are a villain, Dalgarno,” said the haughty and vehe- 
ment favourite. 

“ Fie, my lord — fie ! to a prisoner, and in presence of your 
royal and paternal gossip!” said Lord Dalgarno. “But I 
will ctit this deliberation short. I have looked over this 
schedule of the goods and effects of Erminia Pauletti, daugh- 
ter of the late noble — yes, he is called the noble, or I read 
wrong — Giovanni Pauletti, of the house of Sansovino, in 
Genoa, and of the no less noble Lady Maud Olifaunt, of the 
house of Glenvarloch. Well, I declare that I was pre-con- 
tracted in Spain to this noble lady, and there has passed be- 
twixt us some certain prcBlihatio matrimonii ; and now, what 
more does this grave assembly require of me?” 

“ That you should repair the gross and infamous wrong you 
have done the lady by marrying her within this hour,” said 
the Prince. 

“ Oh, may it please your Royal Highness, ” answered Dal- 
garno, “ I have a trifling relationship with an old earl, who 
calls himself my father, who may claim some vote in the mat- 
ter. Alas! every son is not blessed with an obedient parent!” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


469 


He hazarded a slight glance towards the throne, to give mean- 
ing to his last words. 

“We have spoken ourselves with Lord Huntinglen, said 
the King, “ and are authorised to consent in his name.” 

“ I could never have expected this intervention of 2i.proxenetay 
which the vulgar translate blackfoot, of such eminent dig- 
nity,” said Dalgarno, scarce concealing a sneer. “And my 
father hath consented? He was wont to say, ere we left 
Scotland, that the blood of Huntinglen and of Glenvarloch 
would not mingle, were they poured into the same basin. 
Perhaps he has a mind to try the experiment?” 

“ My lord,” said James, “ we will not be longer trifled with. 
Will you instantly, and sine mora^ take this lady to your wife, 
in our chapel?” 

“ Statim atque instanteVj ” answered Lord Dalgarno ; “ for I 
perceive by doing so I shall obtain power to render great ser- 
vices to the commonwealth : I shall have acquired wealth to 
supply the wants of your Majesty, and a fair wife to be at the 
command of his Grace of Buckingham.” 

The duke rose, passed to the end of the table where Lord 
Dalgarno was standing, and whispered in his ear : “ You have 
placed a fair sister at my command ere now.” 

This taunt cut deep through Lord Dalgarno’ s assumed com- 
posure. He started as if an adder had stung him, but in- 
stantly composed himself, and, flxing on the duke’s still smil- 
ing countenance an eye which spoke unutterable hatred, he 
pointed the foreflnger of his left hand to the hilt of his 
sword, but in a manner which could scarce be observed by 
any one save Buckingham. The duke gave him another smile 
of bitter scorn, and returned to his seat, in obedience to the 
commands of the King, who continued calling out : “ Sit down, 
Steenie — sit down, I command ye; we will hae nae barns- 
breaking here.” 

“ Your Majesty needs not fear my patience,” said Lord Dal- 
garno ; “ and that I may keep it the better, I will not utter 
another word in this presence, save those enjoined to me in 
that happy portion of the Prayer Book which begins with 
‘Dearly Beloved,’ and ends with ‘amazement.’ ” 


470 


WAVERLBY NOVELS. 


“You are a hardened villain, Dalgarno,” said the King; 
“ and were I the lass, by my father^s saul, 1 would rather 
brook the stain of having been your concubine than run the 
risk of becoming your wife. But she shall be under our 
special protection. Come, my lords, we will ourselves see 
this blythesome bridal.” He gave the signal by rising, and 
moved towards the door, followed by the train. Lord Dal- 
garno attended, speaking to none, and spoken to by no one, 
yet seeming as easy and unembarrassed in his gait and man- 
ner as if in reality a happy bridegroom. 

They reached the chapel by a private entrance, which 
communicated from the royal apartment. The Bishop of 
Winchester, in his pontifical dress, stood beside the altar ; on 
the other side, supported by Monna Paula, the colourless, 
faded, half-lifeless form of the Lady Hermione, or Erminia 
Pauletti. Lord Dalgarno bowed profoundly to her, and the 
Prince, observing the horror with which she regarded him, 
walked up and said to her, with much dignity ; “ Madam, ere 
you put yourself under the authority of this man, let me in- 
form you, he hath in the fullest degree vindicated your honour, 
so far as concerns your former intercourse. It is for you to 
consider whether you will put your fortune and happiness 
into the hands of one who has shown himself unworthy of 
all trust. ” 

The lady, with much difficulty, found words to make reply. 
“I owe to his Majesty’s goodness,” she said, “the care of pro- 
viding me some reservation out of my own fortune for my decent 
sustenance. The rest cannot be better disposed than in buying 
back the fair fame of which I am deprived, and the liberty of 
ending my life in peace and seclusion. ” 

“The contract has been drawn up,” said the King, “under 
our own eye, specially discharging the potestas maritalis^ and 
agreeing they shall live separate. So buckle them, my lord 
bishop, as fast as you can, that they may sunder again the 
sooner.” 

The bishop accordingly opened his book and commenced the 
marriage ceremony, under circumstances so novel and so in- 
auspicious. The responses of the bride were only expressed 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


471 


by inclinations of the head and body ; while those of the bride- 
groom were spoken boldly and distinctly, with a tone resem- 
bling levity, if not scorn. When it was concluded. Lord 
Dalgarno advanced as if to salute the bride, but seeing that 
she drew back in fear and abhorrence, he contented himself 
with making her a low bow. He then drew up his form to 
its height, and stretched himself as if examining the power of 
his limbs, but gently, and without any forcible change of atti- 
tude. “I could caper yet,” he said, “though I am in fetters; 
but they are of gold, and lightly worn. Well, I see all eyes 
look cold on me, and it is time I should withdraw. The sun 
shines elsewhere than in England! But first I must ask how 
this fair Lady Dalgarno is to be bestowed. Methinks it is 
but decent I should know. Is she to be sent to the haram of 
my lord duke? Or is this worthy citizen, as before ” 

“Hold thy base ribald tongue!” said his father. Lord Hunt- 
inglen, who had kept in the background during the ceremony, 
and now stepping suddenly forward, caught the lady by the 
arm, and confronted her unworthy husband. “The Lady 
Dalgarno, ” he continued, “ shall remain as a widow in my 
house. A widow 1 esteem her, as much as if the grave had 
closed over her dishonoured husband.” 

Lord Dalgarno exhibited momentary symptoms of extreme 
confusion, and said, in a submissive tone : “ If you, my lord, 
can wish me dead, I cannot, though your heir, return the 
compliment. Few of the first-born of Israel, ” he added, re- 
covering himself from the single touch of emotion he had dis- 
played, “can say so much with truth. But I will convince 
you ere I go that I am a true descendant of a house famed 
for its memory of injuries.” 

“I marvel your Majesty will listen to him longer,” said 
Prince Charles. “Methinks we have heard enough of his 
daring insolence.” 

But James, who took the interest of a true gossip in such a 
scene as was now passing, could not bear to cut the contro- 
versy short, but imposed silence on his son with : “ Whisht, 
Baby Charles — there is a good bairn, whisht! I want to hear 
what the frontless loon can say.” 


472 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Only, sir,” said Dalgarno, “that but for one single line 
in this schedule, all else that it contains could not have bribed 
me to take that woman’s hand into mine.” 

“That line maun have been the summa totalis , said the 
King. 

“Not so, sire,” replied Dalgarno. “The sum total might 
indeed have been an object for consideration even to a Scot- 
tish king, at no very distant period; but it would have had 
little charms for me, save that I see here an entry which gives 
me the power of vengeance over the family of Glenvarloch ; 
and learn from it that yonder pale bride, when she put the 
wedding-torch into my hand, gave me the power of burning 
her mother’s house to ashes!” 

“How is that?” said the King. “What is he speaking 
about. Jingling Geordie?” 

“This friendly citizen, my liege,” said Lord Dalgarno, 
“hath expended a sum belonging to my lady, and now, I 
thank Heaven, to me, in acquiring a certain mortgage, or 
wadset, over the estate of Glenvarloch, which, if it be not re- 
deemed before to-morrow at noon, will put me in possession 
of the fair demesnes of those who once called themselves our 
house’s rivals.” 

“ Can this be true?” said the King. 

“It is even but too true, please your Majesty,” answered 
the citizen. “The Lady Hermione having advanced the 
money for the original creditor, I was obliged, in honour and 
honesty, to take the rights to her ; and, doubtless, they pass 
to her husband.” 

“ But the warrant, man, ” said the King — “ the warrant on 
our exchequer. Couldna that supply the lad wi’ the means 
of redemption?” 

“ Unhappily, my liege, he has lost it, or disposed of it. It 
is not to be found. He is the most unlucky youth!” 

“This is a proper spot of work!” said the King beginning 
to amble about and play with the points of his doublet and 
hose, in expression of dismay. “We cannot aid him without 
paying our debts twice over, and we have, in the present state 
of our exchequer, scarce the means of paying them once.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


473 


“ You have told me news, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ but I will 
take no advantage.’’ 

“ Do not, ” said bis father. “ Be a bold villain, since thou 
must be one, and seek revenge with arms, and not with the 
usurer’s weapons.” 

“ Pardon me, my lord, ” said Lord Dalgarno. “ Pen and ink 
are now my surest means of vengeance ; and more land is won 
by the lawyer with the ram-skin than by the Andrea Ferrara 
with his sheep’s-head handle. But, as I said before, I will 
take no advantage. I will await in town to-morrow, near 
Covent Garden ; if any one will pay the redemption-money to 
my scrivener, with whom the deeds lie, the better for Lord 
Glenvarloch ; if not, I will go forward on the next day, and 
travel with all despatch to the North, to take possession.” 

“Take a father’s malison with you, unhappy wretch!” said 
Lord Huntinglen. 

“And a King’s, who is pater patricBf” said James. 

“I trust to bear both lightly,” said Lord Dalgarno, and 
bowing around him, he withdrew; while all present, op- 
pressed, and, as it were, overawed, by his determined effront- 
ery, found they could draw breath more freely when he at 
length relieved them of his society. Lord Huntinglen, apply- 
ing himself to comfort his new daughter-in-law, withdrew with 
her also ; and the King, with his privy council, whom he had 
not dismissed, again returned to his council-chamber, though 
the hour was unusually late. Heriot’s attendance was still 
commanded, but for what reason was not explained to him. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

I’ll play the eavesdropper. 

Richard III. Act V. Scene 3. 

James had no sooner resumed his seat at the council-board 
than he began to hitch in his chair, cough, use his handker- 
chief, and make other intimations that he meditated a long 
speech. The council composed themselves to the beseeming 


474 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


degree of attention. Charles, as strict in his notions of de- 
corum as his father was indifferent to it, fixed himself in an 
attitude of rigid and respectful attention, while the haughty- 
favourite, conscious of his power over both father and son, 
stretched himself more easily on his seat, and, in assuming 
an appearance of listening, seemed to pay a debt to ceremo- 
nial rather than to duty. 

“ I doubt not, my lords, ’’ said the monarch, that some of 
you may be thinking the hour of refection is past, and that it 
is time to ask with the slave in the comedy. Quid de symholo ? 
Nevertheless, to do justice and exercise judgment is our meat 
and drink; and now we are to pray your wisdom to consider 
the case of this unhappy youth. Lord Glenvarloch, and see 
whether, consistently with our honour, anything can be done 
in his favour.” 

“I am surprised at your Majesty’s wisdom making the in- 
quiry, ” said the duke ; “ it is plain this Dalgarno hath proved 
one of the most insolent villains on earth, and it must there- 
fore be clear that, if Lord Glenvarloch had run him through 
the body, there would but have been out of the world a knave 
who had lived in it too long. I think Lord Glenvarloch hath 
had much wrong; and I regret that, by the persuasions of this 
false fellow, I have myseK had some hand in it. ” 

Ye speak like a child, Steenie — I mean my Lord of Buck- 
ingham, ” answered the King, and as one that does not un- 
derstand the logic of the schools ; for an action may be incon- 
sequential or even meritorous quoad hominem, that is, as 
touching him upon whom it is acted; and yet most criminal 
quoad locum^ or considering the place wherein it is done, as 
a man may lawfully dance Chrighty Beardie or any other 
dance in a tavern, but not inter parietes ecclesice ; so that, 
though it may have been a good deed to have sticked Lord 
Dalgarno, being such as he has shown himself, anywhere else, 
yet it fell under the plain statute when violence was offered 
within the verge of the court. For, let me tell you, my lords, 
the statute against striking would be of small use in our court, 
if it could be eluded by justifying the person stricken to be a 
knave. It is much to be lamented that I ken nae court in 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


475 


Christendom where knaves are not to be found ; and if men are 
to break the peace under pretence of beating them, why, it 
will rain Jeddart staves ‘ in our very ante- chamber. ” 

“What your Majesty says,” replied Prince Charles, “is 
marked with your usual wisdom : the precincts of palaces must 
be sacred as well as the persons of kings, which are respected 
even in the most barbarous nations, as being one step only 
beneath their divinities. But your Majesty’s will can control 
the severity of this and every other law, and it is in your 
power, on consideration of his case, to grant this rash young 
man a free pardon. ” 

“ Rem acu tetigisti, Carole^ mi puerule, ” answered the King ; 
“ and know, my lords, that we have, by a shrewd device and 
gift of our own, already sounded the very depth of this Lord 
Glenvarloch’s disposition. I trow there be among you some 
that remember my handling in the curious case of my Lady 
Lake,^ and how I trimmed them about the story of hearkening 
behind the arras. Now this put me to cogitation, and I re- 
membered me of having read that Dionysius, King of Syra- 
cuse, whom historians call rupawo?, which signifieth not in the 
Greek tongue, as in ours, a truculent usurper, but a royal king 
who governs, it may be, something more strictly than we and 
other lawful monarchs, whom the ancients termed ^arrtXsi^. 
Now, this Dionysius of Syracuse caused cunning workmen to 
build for himself a Gugg.’ D’ye ken what that is, my lord 
bishop?” 

“ A cathedral, I presume to guess, ” answered the bishop. 

“ What the deil, man — I crave your lordship’s pardon for 
swearing — but it was no cathedral, only a lurking-place called 
the king’s Gugg,’ or ^ear,’ where he could sit undescried and 
hear the converse of his prisoners. Now, sirs, in imitation of 
this Dionysius, whom I took for my pattern, the rather that 
he was a great linguist and grammarian, and taught a school 
with good applause after his abdication — either he or his suc- 

* The old-fashioned weapon called the Jeddart staff was a species of 
battle-axe. Of a very great tempest, it is said, in the south of Scotland, ' 
that it rains Jeddart staffs, as in England the common people talk of its 
raining cats and dogs. 

2 See Note 42. 


476 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


cessor of the same name, it matters not whilk — I have caused 
them to make a *lugg’ up at the state prison of the Tower 
yonder — more like a pulpit than a cathedral, my lord bishop — 
and communicating with the arras behind the lieutenant’s 
chamber, where we may sit and privily hear the discourse of 
such prisoners as are pent up there for state offences, and so 
creep into the very secrets of our enemies.” 

The Prince cast a glance towards the Duke, expressive 
of great vexation and disgust. Buckingham shrugged his 
shoulders, but the motion was so slight as to be almost im- 
perceptible. 

“ Weel, my lords, ye ken the fray at the hunting this morn- 
ing — I shall not get out of the trembling exies until I have a 
sound night’s sleep — just after that, they bring ye in a pretty 
page that had been found in the Park. We were warned 
against examining him ourselves by the anxious care of those 
around us ; nevertheless, holding our life ever at the service 
of these kingdoms, we commanded all to avoid the room, the 
rather that we suspected this boy to be a girl. What think 
ye, my lords? Few of you would have thought I had a 
hawk’s eye for sic gear; but we thank God that, though we 
are old, we know so much of such toys as may beseem a man 
of decent gravity. Weel, my lords, we questioned this maiden 
in male attire ourselves, and I profess it was a very pretty in- 
terrogatory, and well followed. For, though she at first pro- 
fessed that she assumed this disguise in order to countenance 
the woman who should present us with the Lady Hermione’s 
petition, for whom she professed entire affection; yet when 
we, suspecting anguis in herba, did put her to the very ques- 
tion, she was compelled to own a virtuous attachment for 
Glenvarlochides, in such a pretty passion of shame and fear, 
that we had much ado to keep our own eyes from keeping 
company with hers in weeping. Also, she laid before us the 
false practices of this Dalgarno towards Glenvarlochides, in- 
veigling him into houses of ill resort, and giving him evil 
counsel under pretext of sincere friendship, whereby the inex- 
perienced lad was led to do what was prejudicial to himself 
and offensive to us. But, however prettily she told her tale, 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


477 


we determined not altogether to trust to her narration, but 
rather to try the experiment whilk we had devised for such 
occasions. And having ourselves speedily passed from Green- 
wich to the Tower, we constituted ohrselves eavesdropper, as 
it is called, to observe what should pass between Glenvar- 
lochides and this page, whom we caused to be admitted to 
his apartment, well judging that if they were of counsel to- 
gether to deceive us, it could not be but something of it would 
spunk out. And what think ye we saw, my lords? Naething 
for you to sniggle and laugh at, Steenie ; for I question if you 
could have played the temperate and Christian-like part of this 
poor lad Glenvarloch. He might be a father of the church in 
comparison of you, man. And then, to try his patience yet 
farther, we loosed on him a courtier and a citizen, that is, 
Sir Mungo Malagrowther and our servant George Heriot here, 
wha dang the poor lad about, and didna greatly spare our royal 
selves. You mind, Geordie, what you said about the wives 
and concubines? but I forgie ye, man — nae need of kneeling, 
I forgie ye — the readier that it regards a certain particular 
whilk, as it added not much to Solomon’s credit, the lack of 
it cannot be said to impinge on ours. Aweel, my lords, for 
all temptation of sore distress and evil example, this poor 
lad never loosed his tongue on us to say one unbecoming 
wordj which inclines us the rather, acting always by your 
wise advice, to treat this affair of the Park as a thing done in 
the heat of blood, and under strong provocation, and therefore 
to confer our free pardon on Lord Glenvarloch.” 

am happy your gracious Majesty,” said the Duke of 
Buckingham, “ has arrived at that conclusion, though I could 
never have guessed at the road by which you attained it.” 

“ I trust, ” said Prince Charles, “ that it is not a path which 
your Majesty will think it consistent with your high dignity 
to tread frequently. ” 

Never while I live again. Baby Charles, that I give you 
my royal word on. They say that hearkeners hear ill tales of 
themselves : by my saul, my very ears are tingling wi’ that 
auld sorrow Sir Mungo’s sarcasms. He called us close-fisted, 
Steenie j I am sure you can contradict that. But it is mere 


478 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


envy in the auld mutilated sinner, because he himself has 
neither a noble to hold in his loof nor fingers to close on it if 
he had.” Here the King lost recollection of Sir Mungo’s 
irreverence in chuckling Over his own wit, and only farther 
alluded to it by saying: ‘‘We must give the old maunderer 
bos in linguam — something to stop his mouth, or he will rail 
at us from Dan to Beersheba. And now, my lords, let our 
warrant of mercy to Lord Glenvarloch be presently expedited, 
and he put to his freedom ; and as his estate is likely to go so 
sleeveless a gate, we will consider what means of favour we 
can show him. My lords, I wish you an appetite to an early 
supper; for our labours have approached that term. Baby 
Charles and Steenie, you will remain till our couchee. My 
lord bishop, you will be pleased to stay to bless our meat. 
Geordie Heriot, a word with you apart.” 

His Majesty then drew the citizen into a corner, while the 
eouncillors, those excepted who had been commanded to re- 
main, made their obeisance and withdrew. “ Geordie, ” said 
the King, “ my good and trusty servant (here he busied his 
fingers much with the points and ribbons of his dress), ye see 
that we have granted, from our own natural sense of right and 
justice, that which yon long-backed fallow — Moniplies, I think 
they ca’ him — proffered to purchase from us with a mighty 
bribe; whilk we refused, as being a crowned king, who wad 
neither sell our justice nor our mercy for pecuniar considera- 
tion. Now, what think ye should be the upshot of this?” 

“My Lord Glenvarloch’ s freedom, and his restoration to 
your Majesty’s favour,” said Heriot. 

“ I ken that,” said the King, peevishly. “ Ye are very dull 
to-day. I mean, what do you think this fallow Moniplies 
should think about the matter?” 

“Surely that your Majesty is a most good and gracious 
sovereign,” answered Heriot. 

“We had need to be gude and gracious baith,” said the 
King, still more pettishly, “that have idiots about us that 
cannot understand what we mint at, unless we speak it out in 
braid Lowlands. See this chield Moniplies, sir, and tell him 
what we have done for Lord Glenvarloch, in whom he takes 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


479 


such part, out of our own gracious motion, though we refused 
to do it on ony proffer of private advantage. Now, you may 
put it till him, as if of your own mind, whether it will be a 
gracious or a dutiful part in him to press us for present pay- 
ment of the two or three hundred miserable pounds for whilk 
we were obliged to opignorate our jewels? Indeed, mony 
men may think ye wad do the part of a good citizen if you 
took it on yourself to refuse him payment, seeing he hath had 
what he professed to esteem full satisfaction, and considering, 
moreover, that it is evident he hath no pressing need of the 
money, whereof we have much necessity.’’ 

George Heriot sighed internally. 0 my master,” thought 
he — “ my dear master, is it then fated you are never to indulge 
any kingly or noble sentiment without its being sullied by 
some afterthought of interested selfishness!” 

The King troubled himself not about what he thought, but, 
taking him by the collar, said : “Ye ken my meaning now, 
Jingler; awa’ wi’ ye. You are a wise man; manage it your 
ain gate, but forget not our present straits.” 

The citizen made his obeisance and withdrew. 

“ And now, bairns, ” said the King, “ what do you look upon 
each other for ; and what have you got to ask of your dear dad 
and gossip?” 

“ Only, ” said the Prince, “ that it would please your Majesty 
to command the lurking-place at the prison to be presently 
built up ; the groans of a captive should not be brought in 
evidence against him.” 

“What! build up my lugg. Baby Charles? And yet, bet- 
ter deaf than hear ill tales of oneself. So let them build it 
up, hard and fast, without delay, the rather that my back is 
sair with sitting in it for a whole hour. And now let us see 
what the cooks have been doing for us, bonny bairns.” 


480 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

To this brave man the knight repairs 
For counsel in his law afiFairs ; 

And found him mounted in his pew, 

With books and money placed for show, 

Like nest-eggs to make clients lay, 

And for his false opinion pay. 

Hudihras. 

Our readers may recollect a certain smooth-tongued, lank- 
haired, buckram-suited, Scottish scrivener, who, in the fifth 
chapter of this history, appeared in the character ot 2i protege 
of George Heriot. It is to his house we are about to remove ; 
but times have changed with him. The petty booth hath be- 
come a chamber of importance ; the buckram suit is changed 
into black velvet ; and although the wearer retains his Puri- 
tanical humility and politeness to clients of consequence, he 
can now look others broad in the face, and treat them with a 
full allowance of superior opulence, and the insolence arising 
from it. It was but a short period that had achieved these 
alterations, nor was the party himself as yet entirely accus- 
tomed to them, but the change was becoming less embarrassing 
to him with every day’s practice. Among other ^.cquisitions 
of wealth, you may see one of Davie Ramsay’s best timepieces 
on the table, and his eye is frequently observing its revolu- 
tions, while a boy, whom he employs as a scribe, is occasion- 
ally sent out to compare its progress with the clock of St. 
Dunstan. 

The scrivener himself seemed considerably agitated. He 
took from a strong-box a bundle of parchments, and read 
passages of them with great attention ; then began to solilo- 
quise : “ There is no outlet which law can suggest — no back- 
door of evasion — none : if the lands of Glenvarloch are not re- 
deemed before it rings noon. Lord Dalgarno has them a cheap 
pennyworth. Strange, that he should have been at last able 
to set his patron at defiance, and achieve for himself the fair 
estate, with the prospect of which he so long flattered the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


481 


powerful Buckingham. Might not Andrew Skurliewhitter 
nick him as neatly? He hath been my patron, true — not 
more than Buckingham was his ; and he can be so no more, 
for he departs presently for Scotland. I am glad of it; I 
hate him, and I fear him. He knows too many of my secrets ; 
I know too many of his. But, no — no — no — I need never at- 
tempt it, there are no means of over-reaching him. Well, 
Willie, what o^clock?” 

‘‘Eleven hours just chappit, sir.’’ 

‘‘Go to your desk without, child,” said the scrivener. 
“What to do next? I shall lose the old earl’s fair business, 
and, what is worse, his son’s foul practice. Old Heriot looks 
too close into business to permit me more than the paltry and 
ordinary dues. The Whitefriars business was profitable, 
but it has become unsafe ever since — pah! what brought 
that in my head just now? I can hardly hold my pen; if 
men should see me in this way! Willie (calling aloud to the 
boy), a cup of distilled waters. Soh! now I could face the 
devil.” 

He spoke the last words aloud, and close by the door of the 
apartment, which was suddenly opened by Eichie Moniplies, 
followed .by two gentlemen, and attended by two porters bear- 
ing money-bags. “ If ye can face the devil, Maister Skurlie- 
whitter, ” said Eichie, “ ye will be the less likely to turn your 
back on a sack or twa o’ siller, which I have ta’en the freedom 
to bring you. Sathanas and Mammon are near akin.” 

The porters, at the same time, ranged their load on the floor. 

“I — I,” stammered the surprised scrivener — “I cannot 
guess what you mean, sir.” 

“ Only that I have brought you the redemption-money on 
the part of Lord Glenvarloch, in discharge of a certain mort- 
gage over his family inheritance. And here, in good time, 
comes Master Eeginald Lowestoffe and another honourable 
gentleman of the Temple, to be witnesses to the transac- 
tion.” 

“ I — I incline to think, ” said the scrivener, “ that the term 
is expired.” 

“You will pardon us, Master Scrivener,” said Lowestoffe. 

31 


482 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“You will not baffle us; it wants three-quarters of noon by 
every clock in the city.’’ 

“ I must have time, gentlemen, ” said Andrew, “ to examine 
the gold by tale and weight. ” 

“ Do so at your leisure. Master Scrivener, ” replied Lowe- 
stoffe again. “We have already seen the contents of each 
sack told and weighed, and we have put our seals on them. 
There they stand in a row, twenty in number, each containing 
three hundred yellow-hammers ; we are witnesses to the law- 
ful tender.” 

“Gentlemen,” said the scrivener, “this security now be- 
longs to a mighty lord. I pray you, abate your haste, and 
let me send for Lord Dalgarno — or rather I will run for him 
myself. ” 

So saying, he took up his hat ; but Lowestoffe called out : 
“ Friend Moniplies, keep the door fast, an thou be’st a man ! 
he seeks but to put off the time. In plain terms, Andrew, 
you may send for the devil, if you wiU, who is the mightiest 
lord of my acquaintance, but from hence you stir not till you 
have answered our proposition, by rejecting or accepting the 
redemption-money fairly tendered; there it lies — take it or 
leave it as you will. I have skill enough to know that the 
law is mightier than any lord in Britain : I have learned so 
much at the Temple, if I have learned nothing else. And see 
that you trifle not with it, lest it make your long ears an inch 
shorter. Master Skurliewhitter. ” 

“Nay, gentlemen, if you threaten me,” said the scrivener, 
“I cannot resist compulsion.” 

“No threats — no threats at all, my little Andrew,” said 
Lowestoffe : “ a little friendly advice only ; forget not, honest 
Andrew, I have seen you in Alsatia.” 

Without answering a single word, the scrivener sat down 
and drew in proper form a full receipt for the money prof- 
fered. 

“I take it on your report. Master Lowestoffe,” he said; “I 
hope you will remember I have insisted neither upon weight 
nor tale — I have been civil; if there is deficiency I shall come 
to loss.” 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


483 


“Fillip his nose with a gold-piece, Richie,” quoth the 
Templar. “ Take up the papers, and now wend we merrily 
to dine thou wot’st where.” 

“ If I might; choose, ” said Richie, “ it should not be at yon- 
der roguish ordinary ; but as it is your pleasure, gentlemen, 
the treat shall be given wheresoever you will have it. ” 

“ At the ordinary, ” said the one Templar. 

“ At Beaujeu’s, ” said the other ; “ it is the only house in Lon- 
don for neat wines, nimble drawers, choice dishes, and ” 

“ And high charges, ” quoth Richie Moniplies. “ But, as I 
said before, gentlemen, ye have a right to command me in this 
thing, having so frankly rendered me your service in this small 
matter of business, without other stipulation than that of a 
slight banquet.” 

The latter part of this discourse passed in the street, where, 
immediately afterwards, they met Lord Dalgarno. He ap- 
peared in haste, touched his hat slightly to Master Lowestoffe, 
who returned his reverence with the same negligence and 
walked slowly on with his companion, while Lord Dalgarno 
stopped Richie Moniplies with a commanding sign, which the 
instinct of education compelled Moniplies, though indignant, 
to obey. 

“Whom do you now follow, sirrah?” demanded the noble. 

“ Whomsoever goeth before me, my lord, ” answered Moni- 
plies. 

“No sauciness, you knave; I desire to know if you still 
serve Nigel Olifaunt?” said Dalgarno. 

“I am friend to the noble Lord Glenvarloch, ” answered 
Moniplies, with dignity. 

“True,” replied Lord Dalgarno, “that noble lord has sunk 
to seek friends among lackeys. Nevertheless — hark thee 
hither — nevertheless, if he be of the same mind as when we 
last met, thou mayst show him that, on to-morrow, at four 
afternoon, I shall pass northward by Enfield Chase. I will 
be slenderly attended, as I design to send my train through 
Barnet. It is my purpose to ride an easy pace through the 
forest, and to linger awhile by Camlet Moat; he knows the 
place, and, if he be aught but an Alsatian bully, will think it 


484 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


fitter for some purposes than the Park. He is, I understand, 
at liberty, or shortly to be so. If he fail me at the place 
nominated, he must seek me in Scotland, where he will find 
me possessed of his father’s estate and lands.” , 

“Humph!” muttered Richie, “there go twa words to that 
bargain.” He even meditated a joke on the means which he 
was conscious he possessed of baffling Lord Dalgarno’s expec- 
tations ; but there was something of keen and dangerous ex- 
citement in the eyes of the young nobleman which prompted 
his discretion for once to rule his wit, and he only answered : 
“ God grant your lordship may well brook your new conquest — 
when you get it. I shall do your errand to my lord; whilk is 
to say, ” he added internally, “ he shall never hear a word of 
it from Richie. I am not the lad to put him in such hazard. ” 

Lord Dalgarno looked at him sharply for a moment, as if to 
penetrate the meaning of the dry, ironical tone which, in spite 
of Richie’s awe, mingled with his answer, and then waved his 
hand, in signal he should pass on. He himself walked slowly 
tiU the trio were out of sight, then turned back with hasty 
steps to the door of the scrivener, which he had passed in his 
progress, knocked, and was admitted. 

Lord Dalgarno found the man of law with the money-bags 
still standing before him ; and it escaped not his penetrating 
glance that Skurliewhitter was disconcerted and alarmed at 
his approach. 

“ How now, man, ” he said ; “ what ! hast thou not a word 
of oily compliment to me on my happy marriage? not a word 
of most philosophical consolation on my disgrace at court? 
Or has my mien, as a wittol and discarded favourite, the prop- 
erties of the Gorgon’s head, the turbatoe Palladis arma, as 
Majesty might say?” 

“ My lord, I am glad — my lord, I am sorry, ” answered the 
trembling scrivener, who, aware of the vivacity of Lord Dal- 
garno’ s temper, dreaded the consequence of the communica- 
tion he had to make to him. 

“Glad and sorry!” answered Lord Dalgarno. “That is 
blowing hot and cold, with a witness. Hark ye, you picture 
of petty-larceny personified, if you are sorry I am a cuckold, 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


485 


remember I am only mine own, you knave : there is too little 
blood in her cheeks to have sent her astray elsewhere. Well, 
I will bear mine antlered honours as I may — gold shall gild 
them; and for my disgrace, revenge shall sweeten it. Ay, 
revenge! and there strikes the happy hour.” 

The hour of noon was accordingly heard to peal from St. 
Dunstan^s. “Well banged, brave hammers!” said Lord Dal- 
garno, in triumph. “ The estate and lands of Glenvarloch are 
crushed beneath these clanging blows. If my steel to-morrow 
prove but as true as your iron maces to-day, the poor landless 
lord will little miss what your peal hath cut him out from. 
The papers — the papers, thou varlet ! I am to-morrow north- 
ward ho! At four, afternoon, I am bound to be at Camlet 
Moat, in the Enfield Chase. To-night most of my retinue 
set forward. The papers! Come, despatch.” 

“ My lord, the — the papers of the Glenvarloch mortgage — 
I — I have them not. ” 

“Have them not!” echoed Lord Dalgarno. “Hast thou 
sent them to my lodging, thou varlet? Did I not say I was 
coming hither? What mean you by pointing to that money? 
What villainy have you done for it? It is too large to be 
come honestly by.” 

“ Your lordship knows best, ” answered the scrivener, in great 
perturbation. “ The gold is your own. It is — it is ” 

“Not the redemption-money of the Glenvarloch estate?” 
said Dalgarno. “ Dare not say it is, or I will, upon the spot, 
divorce your pettifogging soul from your carrion carcass!” 
So saying, he seized the scrivener by the collar and shook him 
so vehemently that he tore it from the cassock. 

“My lord, I must call for help,” said the trembling caitiff, 
who felt at that moment aU the 1 itterness of the mortal 
agony. “It was the law^s act, not mine. What could I 
do?” 

“Dost ask? Why, thou snivelling dribblet of damnation, 
were all thy oaths, tricks, and lies spent? or do you hold your- 
self too good to utter them in my service? Thou shouldst 
have lied, cozened, outsworn truth itself, rather than stood 
betwixt me and my revenge ! But mark me, ” he continued ; 


486 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“ I know more of your pranks than would hang thee. A line 
from me to the Attorney-General, and thou art sped.’’ 

‘‘What would you have me to do, my lord?” said the 
scrivener. “All that art and law can accomplish, I will try.” 

“ Ah, are you converted? Do so, or pity of your life!” said 
the lord ; “ and remember I never fail my word. Then keep 
that accursed gold,” he continued. “ Or, stay, I will not trust 
you ; send me this gold home presently to my lodging. I will 
still forward to Scotland, and it shall go hard but that I hold 
out Glenvarloch Castle against the owner, by means of the 
ammunition he has himself furnished. Thou art ready to 
serve me?” The scrivener professed the most implicit obe- 
dience. 

“ Then remember, the hour was past ere payment was ten- 
dered ; and see thou hast witnesses of trusty memory to prove 
that point.” 

“Tush, my lord, I will do more,” said Andrew, reviving: 
“I will prove that Lord Glenvarloch’ s friends threatened, 
swaggered, and drew swords on me. Did your lordship think 
I was ungrateful enough to have suffered them to prejudice 
your lordship, save that they had bare swords at my throat?” 

“ Enough said, ” replied Dalgarno ; “ you are perfect. Mind 
that you continue so, as you would avoid my fury. I leave 
my page below ; get porters, and let them follow me instantly 
with the gold. ” 

So saying. Lord Dalgarno left the scrivener’s habitation. 

Skurliewhitter, having despatched his boy to get porters of 
trust for transporting the money, remained alone and in dis- 
may, meditating by what means he could shake himself free 
of the vindictive and ferocious nobleman, who possessed at 
once a dangerous knowledge of his character and the power of 
exposing him where exposure would be ruin. He had indeed 
acquiesced in the plan, rapidly sketched, for obtaining posses- 
sion of the ransomed estate, but his experience foresaw that 
this would be impossible ; while, on the other hand, he could 
not anticipate the various consequences of Lord Dalgarno’ s re- 
sentment without fears from which his sordid soul recoiled. 
To be in the power, and subject both to the humours and the 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


487 


extortions, of a spendthrift young lord, just when his industry 
had shaped out the means of fortune — it was the most cruel 
trick which fate could have played the incipient usurer. 

While the scrivener was in this fit of anxious anticipation, 
one knocked at the door of the apartment, and, being desired 
to enter, appeared in the coarse riding-cloak of uncut Wilt- 
shire cloth, fastened by a broad leather belt and brass buckle, 
which was then generally worn by graziers and countrymen. 
Skurliewhitter, believing he saw in his visitor a country client 
who might prove profitable, had opened his mouth to request 
him to be seated, when the stranger, throwing back his frieze 
hood which he had drawn over his face, showed the scrivener 
features well imprinted in his recollection, but which he never 
saw without a disposition to swoon. 

“ Is it you?” he said, faintly, as the stranger replaced the 
hood which concealed his features. 

“ Who else should it be?” said his visitor. 

“ Thou son of parchment, got betwixt the ink-horn 
And the stuff’d process-bag, that mayest call 
The pen thy father, and the ink thy mother. 

The wax thy brother, and the sand thy sister, 

And the good pillory thy cousin allied — 

Rise, and do reverence unto me, thy better ! ” 

“ Not yet down to the country, ” said the scrivener, after 
every warning? Do not think your grazier’s cloak will bear 
you out, captain — no, nor your scraps of stage-plays.” 

“ Why, what would you have me to do?” said the captain. 
“ Would you have me starve? If I am to fly, you must eke 
my wings with a few feathers. You can spare them, I think.” 

“ You had means already: you have had ten pieces. What 
is become of them?” 

^^Gone,” answered Captain Colepepper — “gone, no matter 
where; I had a mind to bite, and I was bitten, that’s all. I 
think my hand shook at the thought of t’other night’s work, 
for I trowled the doctors like a very baby.” 

“And you have lost all, then? Well, take this and be 
gone,” said the scrivener. 

“ What, two poor smelts ! Marry, plague of your bounty ! 
But remember you are as deep in as I.” 


488 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


“Not so, by Heaven!’’ answered the scrivener; “I only 
thought of easing the old man of some papers and a trifle of 
his gold, and you took his life. ” 

“ Were he living,” answered Colepepper, “he would rather 
have lost it than his money. But that is not the question. 
Master Skurliewhitter. You undid the private bolts of the 
window when you visited him about some affairs on the day 
ere he died; so satisfy yourself that, if I am taken, I will not 
swing alone. Pity Jack Hempsfield is dead, it spoils the old 
catch ; 

“ And three merry men, and three merry men, 

And three merry men are we, 

As ever did sing three parts in a string, 

All under the triple tree.” 

“ For God’s sake, speak lower, ” said the scrivener ; “ is this a 
place or time to make your midnight catches heard? But how 
much will serve your turn? I tell you, I am but ill provided. ” 

“ You tell me a lie then, ” said the bully — “ a most palpable 
and gross lie. How much, d’ye say, will serve my turn? 
Why, one of these bags will do for the present.” 

“ I swear to you that these bags of money are not at my 
disposal. ” 

“Not honestly perhaps,” said the captain, “but that makes 
little difference betwixt us.” 

“ I swear to you, ” continued the scrivener, “ they are in no 
way at my disposal : they have been delivered to me by tale ; 
I am to pay them over to Lord Dalgarno, whose boy waits for 
them, and I could not skelder one piece out of them without 
risk of hue and cry.” 

“Can you not put off the delivery?” said the bravo, his 
huge hand still fumbling with one of the bags, as if his fingers 
longed to close on it. 

“ Impossible, ” said the scrivener, “ he sets forward to Scot- 
land to-morrow.” 

“ Ay !” said the bully, after a moment’s thought. “ Travels 
he the North road with such a charge?” 

“He is well accompanied,” added the scrivener; “but 
yet ” 

“ But yet — but what?” said the bravo. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


489 


“Nay, I meant nothing,” said the scrivener. 

“ Thou didst — thou hadst the wind of some good thing, ” 
replied Colepepper; “I saw thee pause like a setting dog. 
Thou wilt say as little, and make as sure a sign, as a well- 
bred spaniel.” 

“ All I meant to say, captain, was that his servants go by 
Barnet, and he himself, with his page, passes through Enfield 
Chase; and he spoke to me yesterday of riding a soft pace.” 

“Aha! Comest thou to me there, my boy?” 

“ And of resting, ” continued the scrivener — “ resting a space 
at Camlet Moat.” 

“Why, this is better than cock-fighting!” said the captain. 

“ I see not how it can advantage you, captain, ” said the 
scrivener. “ But, however, they cannot ride fast, for his page 
rides the sumpter-horse, which carries all that weight, ” point- 
ing to the money on the table. “ Lord Dalgarno looks sharp 
to the world’s gear.” 

“ That horse will be obliged to those who may ease him of 
his burden,” said the bravo; “and, egad, he may be met 
with. He hath still that page — that same Lutin — that gob- 
lin? Well, the boy hath set game for me ere now. I will be 
revenged, too, for I owe him a grudge for an old score at the 
ordinary. Let me see — Black Feltham and Dick Shakebag — 
we shall want a fourth. I love to make sure, and the booty 
will stand parting, besides what I can bucket them out of. 
Well, scrivener, lend me two pieces. Bravely done — nobly 
imparted! Give ye god-den.” And wrapping his disguise 
closer around him, away he went. 

When he had left the room, the scrivener wrung his hands 
and exclaimed : “ More blood — more blood ! I thought to have 
had done with it; but this time there was no fault with me — 
none — and then I shall have all the advantage. If this ruffian 
falls, there is truce with his tugs at my purse-strings ; and if 
Lord Dalgarno dies — as is most likely, for, though as much 
afraid of cold steel as a debtor of a dun, this fellow is a dead- 
ly shot from behind a bush — then am I in a thousand ways 
safe — safe — safe. ” 

We willingly drop the curtain over him and his reflections. 


490 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

We are not worst at once ; the course of evil 
Begins so slowly, and from such slight source, 

An infant’s hand might stem its breach with clay. 

But let the stream get deeper, and philosophy — 

Ay, and religion too — shall strive in vain 
To turn the headlong torrent. 

Old Play. 

The Templars had been regaled by our friend Richie Moni- 
plies in a private chamber at Beaujeu’s, where he might be 
considered as good company ; for he had exchanged his serv- 
ing-man^ s cloak and jerkin for a grave yet handsome suit of 
clothes, in the fashion of the times, but such as might have 
befitted an older man than himseK. He had positively de- 
clined presenting himself at the ordinary — a point to which 
his companions were very desirous to have brought him, for 
it will be easily believed that such wags as Lowestoffe and his 
companion were not indisposed to a little merriment at the 
expense of the raw and pedantic Scotsman, besides the chance 
of easing him of a few pieces, of which he appeared to have 
acquired considerable command. But not even a succession 
of measures of sparkling sack, in which the little brilliant 
atoms circulated like motes in the sun’s rays, had the least 
effect on Richie’s sense of decorum. He retained the gravity 
of a judge, even while he drank like a fish, partly from his 
own natural inclination to good liquor, partly in the way of 
good fellowship towards his guests. When the wine began to 
make some innovation on their heads. Master Lowestoffe, tired, 
perhaps, of the humours of Richie, who began to become yet 
more stoically contradictory and dogmatical than even in the 
earlier part of the entertainment, proposed to his friend to 
break up their debauch and join the gamesters. 

The drawer was called accordingly, and Richie discharged 
the reckoning of the party, with a generous remuneration to 
the attendants, which was received with cap and knee, and 
many assurances of “ Kindly welcome, gentlemen. ” 

“I grieve we should part so soon, gentlemen,” said Richie 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


491 


to his companions ; “ and I would you had cracked another 
quart ere you went, or stayed to take some slight matter of 
supper and a glass of Rhenish. I thank you, however, for 
having graced my poor collation thus far ; and I commend you 
to fortune, in your own courses, for the ordinary neither was, 
is, nor shall be an element of mine.” 

“ Fare thee well, then, ” said Lowestoffe, most sapient and 
sententious Master Moniplies. May you soon have another 
mortgage to redeem, and may I be there to witness it; and 
you play the good fellow as heartily as you have done 
this day.” 

‘^Nay, gentlemen, it is merely of your grace to say so; but, 
if you would but hear me speak a few words of admonition 
respecting this wicked ordinary ” 

“ Reserve the lesson, most honourable Richie, ” said Lowe- 
stoffe, “ until I have lost all my money, ” showing, at the same 
time, a purse indifferently well provided, and then the lec- 
ture is likely to have some weight.” 

And keep my share of it, Richie, ” said the other Templar, 
showing an almost empty purse in his turn, “ till this be full 
again, and then I will promise to hear you with some pa- 
tience.” 

Ay — ay, gallants, ” said Richie, the full and the empty 
gang a’ ae gate, and that is a grey one ; but the time will 
come. ” 

^‘Nay, it is come already,” said Lowestoffe: ‘^they have set 
out the hazard table. Since you will peremptorily not go with 
us, why, farewell, Richie.” 

“ And farewell, gentlemen, ” said Richie, and left the house, 
into which they had returned. 

Moniplies was not many steps from the door, when a person 
whom, lost in his reflections on gaming, ordinaries, and the 
manners of the age, he had not observed, and who had been 
as negligent on his part, ran full against him; and, when 
Richie desired to know whether he meant ony incivility, ” 
replied by a curse on Scotland and all that belonged to it. 
A less round reflection on his country would, at any time, 
have provoked Richie, but more especially when he had a 


492 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


double quart of Canary and better in his pate. He was about 
to give a very rough answer, and to second his word by action, 
when a closer view of his antagonist changed his purpose. 

You are the vera lad in the warld, ” said Richie, whom 
I most wished to meet.” 

And you, ” answered the stranger, “ or any of your beg- 
garly countrymen, are the last sight I should ever wish to 
see. You Scots are ever fair and false, and an honest man 
cannot thrive within eye-shot of you.” 

“As to our poverty, friend,” replied Richie, “that is as 
Heaven pleases; but touching our falset. I’ll prove to you 
that a Scotsman bears as leal and true a heart to his friend 
as ever beat in English doublet.” 

“I care not whether he does or not,” said the gallant. 
“Let me go; why keep you hold of my cloak? Let me go, 
or I will thrust you into the kennel.” 

“ I believe I could f orgie ye, for you did me a good turn 
once, in plucking me out of it, ” said the Scot. 

“Beshrew my fingers, then, if they did so,” replied the 
stranger. “ I would your whole country lay there, along with 
you; and Heaven’s curse blight the hand that helped to raise 
them! Why do you stop my way?” he added, fiercely. 

“Because it is a bad one. Master Jenkin,” said Richie. 
“Nay, never start about it, man; you see you are known. 
Alack-a-day! that an honest man’s son should live to start 
at hearing himself called by his own name!” 

Jenkin struck his brow violently with his clenched fist. 

“ Come — come, ” said Richie, “ this passion availeth noth- 
ing. Tell me what gate go you?” 

“To the devil!” answered Jin Yin. 

“ That is a black gate, if you speak according to the letter, ” 
answered Richie; “but if metaphorically, there are worse 
places in this great city than the Devil Tavern ; and I care 
not if I go thither with you, and bestow a pottle of burnt sack 
on you ; it will correct the crudities of my stomach, and form 
a gentle preparative for the leg of a cold pullet.” 

“I pray you, in good fashion, to let me go,” said Jenkin. 
“ You may mean me kindly, and I wish you to have no wrong 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


493 


at my hand ; but I am in the humour to be dangerous to my- 
self or any one.” 

“ I will abide the risk, ” said the Scot, “ if you will but come 
with me; and here is a place convenient, a howfp nearer than 
the Devil, whilk is but an ill-omened, drouthy name for a 
tavern. This other of the St. Andrew is a quiet place, where 
I have ta’en my whetter now and then when I lodged in the 
neigbourhood of the Temple with Lord Glenvarloch. What 
the deiUs the matter wi’ the man, garrM him gie sic a spang 
as that, and almaist brought himself and me on the cause- 
way?” 

“Do not name that false Scot’s name to me,” said Jin Vin, 
“ if you would not have me go mad ! I was happy before I 
saw him ; he has been the cause of all the ill that has befallen 
me: he has made a knave and a madman of me!” 

“If you are a knave,” said Richie, “you have met an offi- 
cer; if you are daft, you have met a keeper; but a gentle 
officer and a kind keeper. Look you, my gude friend, there 
has been twenty things said about this same lord in which 
there is no more truth than in the leasings of Mahound. The 
warst they can say of him is, that he is not always so amen- 
able to good advice as I would pray him, you, and every 
young man to be. Come wi’ me — just come ye wi’ me; and, 
if a little spell of siUer and a great deal of excellent counsel 
can relieve your occasions, all I can say is, you have had the 
luck to meet one capable of giving you both, and maist willing 
to bestow them.” 

The pertinacity of the Scot prevailed over the sullenness of 
Vincent, who was indeed in a state of agitation and incapacity 
to think for himself, which led him to yield the more readily 
to the suggestions of another. He suffered himself to be 
dragged into the small tavern which Richie recommended, 
and where they soon found themselves seated in a snug niche, 
with a reeking bottle of burnt sack and a paper of sugar be- 
twixt them. Pipes and tobacco were also provided, but were 
only used by Richie, who had adopted the custom of late, as 
adding considerably to the gravity and importance of his 
manner, and affording, as it were, a bland and pleasant ac- 


494 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


companiment to tlie words of wisdom which flowed from his 
tongue. After they had fllled their glasses and drunk them 
in silence, Richie repeated the question, whither his guest 
was going when they met so fortunately. 

told you,’’ said Jenkin, ‘‘I was going to destruction — I 
mean to the gaming-house. I am resolved to hazard these 
two or three pieces, to get as much as will pay for a passage 
with Captain Sharker, whose ship lies at Gravesend, bound 
for America ; and so eastward hoe ! I met one devil in the way 
already, who would have tempted me from my purpose, but 
I spurned him from me ; you may be another for what I know. 
What degree of damnation do you propose for me, ” he added 
wildly, ‘‘and what is the price of it?” 

“I would have you to know,” answered Richie, “that I 
deal in no such commodities, whether as buyer or seller. But 
if you will tell me honestly the cause of your distress, I will 
do what is in my power to help you out of it — not being, 
however, prodigal of promises until I know the case, as a 
learned physician only gives advice when he has observed the 
diagnostics. ” 

“No one has anything to do with my affairs,” said the poor 
lad j and folding his arms on the table, he laid his head upon 
them, with the sullen dejection of the overburdened lama, 
when it throws itself down to die in desperation. 

Richie Moniplies, like most folk who have a good opinion 
of themselves, was fond of the task of consolation, which at 
once displayed his superiority (for the consoler is necessarily, 
for the time at least, superior to the afflicted person) and in- 
dulged his love of talking. He inflicted on the poor penitent 
a harangue of pitiless length, stuffed full of the usual topics 
of the mutability of human affairs, the eminent advantages of 
patience under affliction, the folly of grieving for what hath 
no remedy, the necessity of taking more care for the future, 
and some gentle rebukes on account of the past, which acid 
he threw in to assist in subduing the patient’s obstinacy, as 
Hannibal used vinegar in cutting his way through rocks. It 
was not in human nature to endure this flood of commonplace 
eloquence in silence; and Jin Yin, whether desirous of stop- 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


495 


ping the flow of words crammed thus into his ear, “ against 
the stomach of his sense,” or whether confiding in Richie’s 
protestations of friendship, which the wretched, says Field- 
ing, are ever so ready to believe, or whether merely to give 
his sorrows vent in words, raised his head, and turning his 
red and swollen eyes to Richie : 

“Cocksbones, man, only hold thy tongue and thou shalt 
know all about it; and then all I ask of thee is to shake 
hands and part. This Margaret Ramsay — you have seen her, 
man?” 

“Once,” said Richie — “once, at Master George Heriot’s, in 
Lombard Street. I was in the room when they dined.” 

“ Ay, you helped to shift their trenches, I remember, ” said 
Jin Vin. “Well, that same pretty girl — and I will uphold 
her the prettiest betwixt Paul’s and the Bar — she is to be 
wedded to your Lord Glenvarloch, with a pestilence on him!” 

“ That is impossible, ” said Richie — “ it is raving nonsense, 
man ; they make April gouks of you cockneys every month in 
the year. The Lord Glenvarloch marry the daughter of a 
Lonnun mechanic! I would as soon believe the great Prester 
John would marry the daughter of a Jew packman.” 

“Hark ye, brother,” said Jin Vin, “I will allow no one to 
speak disregardfully of the city, for all I am in trouble.” 

“I crave your pardon, man — I meant no offence,” said 
Richie; “but as to the marriage, it is a thing simply impos- 
sible.” 

“ It is a thing that wiU take place, though, for the Duke 
and the Prince, and all of them, have a finger in it ; and es- 
pecially the old fool of a King, that makes her out to be some 
great woman in her own country, as all the Scots pretend to 
be, you know.” 

“ Master Vincent, but that you are under affliction, ” said the 
consoler, offended on his part, “ I would hear no national re- 
flections.” 

The afflicted youth apologised in his turn, but asserted : “ It 
was true that the King said Peg-a-Ramsay was some far-off 
sort of noblewoman ; and that he had taken a great interest 
in the match, and had run about like an ola gander, cack- 


496 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


ling about Peggie ever since he had seen her in hose and 
doublet — and no wonder,” added poor Vin, with a deep sigh. 

This may be all true, ” said Richie, though it sounds 
strange in my ears ; but, man, you should not speak evil of 
dignities. Curse not the King, J enkin, not even in thy bed- 
chamber : stone walls have ears, no one has a right to know 
that better than I.” 

do not curse the foolish old man,” said Jenkin; “but I 
would have them carry things a peg lower. If they were to 
see on a plain field thirty thousand such pikes as I have seen 
in the artillery gardens, it would not be their long-haired 
courtiers would help them, I trow.” * 

“ Hout tout, man, ” said Richie, “ mind where the Stuarts 
come frae, and never think they would want spears or clay- 
mores either; but leaving sic matters, whilk are perilous to 
speak on, I say once more, what is your concern in all this 
matter?” 

“What is it?” said Jenkin; “why, have I not fixed on 
Peg-a-Ramsay to be my true love, from the day I came to 
her old father’s shop? And have I not carried her pattens 
and her chopines for three years, and borne her prayer-book 
to church, and brushed her cushion for her to kneel down 
upon; and did she ever say me nay? ” 

“ I see no cause she had, ” said Richie, “ if the like of such 
small services were all that ye proffered. Ah, man! there 
are few — very few, either of fools or of wise men, ken how 
to guide a woman.” 

“ Why, did I not serve her at the risk of my freedom, and 
very nigh at the risk of n^y neck? Did she not — no, it was 
not her neither, but that accursed beldam whom she caused 
to work upon me — persuade me like a fool to turn myself 
into a waterman to help my lord, and a plague to him! down 
to Scotland? And instead of going peaceably down to the 
ship at Gravesend, did not he rant and bully, and show his 
pistols, and make me land him at Greenwich, where he played 
some swaggering pranks, that helped both him and me into 
the Tower?” 

1 See Military Training of Londoners. Note 43. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


497 


“Aha!” said Richie, throwing more than his usual wisdom 
into his looks, “so you were the green-jacketed waterman 
that rowed Lord Glenvarloch down the river?” 

“ The more fool I, that did not souse him in the Thames, ” 
said Jenkin; “and I was the lad that would not confess one 
word of who or what I was, though they threatened to make 
me hug the Duke of Exeter’s daughter.” 

“Wha is she, man?” said Richie; “she must be an ill- 
fashioned piece, if you’re so much afraid of her, and she come 
of such high kin.” 

“I mean the rack — the rack, man,” said Jenkin. “Where 
were you bred that never heard of the Duke of Exeter’s 
daughter? But all the dukes and duchesses in England could 
have got nothing out of me ; so the truth came out some other 
way, and I was set free. Home I ran, thinking myself one 
of the cleverest and happiest fellows in the ward. And she — 
she — she wanted to pay me with money for all my true ser- 
vice ! and she spoke so sweetly and so coldly at the same time, 
I wished myself in the deepest dungeon of the Tower. I wish 
they had racked me to death before I heard this Scottishman 
was to chouse me out of my sweetheart!” 

“But are ye sure ye have lost her?” said Richie. “It 
sounds strange in my ears that my Lord Glenvarloch should 
marry the daughter of a dealer; though there are uncouth 
marriages made in London, I’ll allow that.” 

“ Why, I tell you this lord was no sooner clear of the Tower 
than he and Master George Heriot comes to make proposals 
for her, with the King’s assent, and what not; and fine fair- 
day prospects of court favour for this lord, for he hath not 
an acre of land.” 

“Well, and what said the auld watch-maker?” said Richie; 
“ was he not, as might weel beseem him, ready to loup out of 
his skin-case for very joy?” 

“ He multiplied six figures progressively, and reported the 
product; then gave his consent.” 

“And what did you do?” 

“I rushed into the streets,” said the poor lad, “with a 
burning heart and a bloodshot eye ; and where did I first find 
32 


498 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


myself, but with that beldam, Mother Suddlechop ; and what 
did she propose to me, but to take the road?” 

‘^Take the road, man! in what sense?” said Richie. 

“Even as a clerk to St. Nicholas — as a highwayman, like 
Poins and Peto, and the good fellows in the play. And who 
think you was to be my captain? — for she had the whole out 
ere I could speak to her ; I fancy she took silence for consent, 
and thought me damned too unutterably to have one thought 
left that savoured of redemption — who was to be my captain, 
but the knave that you saw me cudgel at the ordinary when 
you waited on Lord Glenvarloch — a cowardly, sharking, 
thievish bully about town here, whom they call Colepepper.” 

“ Colepepper — umph — I know somewhat of that smaik, ” 
said Richie ; “ ken ye by ony chance where he may be heard 
of. Master Jenkin? ye wad do me a sincere service to tell me.” 

“Why, he lives something obscurely,” answered the ap- 
prentice, “ on account of suspicion of some villainy — I believe 
that horrid murder in Whitefriars, or some such matter. But 
I might have heard all about him from Dame Suddlechop, for 
she spoke of my meeting him at Enfield Chase, with some 
other good fellows, to do a robbery on one that goes north- 
ward with a store of treasure. ” 

“ And you did not agree to this fine project?” said Moni- 
plies. 

“ I cursed her for a hag, and came away about my busi- 
ness,” answered Jenkin. 

“Ay, and what said she to that, man? That would startle 
her, ” said Richie. 

“Not a whit. She laughed, and said she was in jest,” an- 
swered Jenkin; “but I know the she-deviPs jest from her 
earnest too well to be taken in that way. But she knows I 
would never betray her.” 

“Betray her! No,” replied Richie; “But are ye in any 
shape bound to this birkie Peppercull, or Colepepper, or what- 
ever they call him, that ye suld let him do a robbery on the 
honest gentleman that is travelling to the North, and maybe 
a kindly Scot for what we know?” 

“Ay — going home with a load of English money,” said 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


499 


Jenkin. “ But be he who he will, they may rob the whole 
world an they list, for I am robbed and rumed.” 

Richie filled up his friend’s cup to the brim, and insisted 
that he should drink what he called “ clean caup out.” “ This 
love, ” he said, “ is but a bairnly matter for a brisk young fel- 
low like yourself. Master Jenkin. And if ye must needs have 
a whimsy, though I think it would be safer to venture on a 
staid womanly body, why, here be as bonny lasses in London 
as this Peg-a-Ramsay. Ye need not sigh sae deeply, for it 
is very true : there is as good fish in the sea as ever came out 
of it. Now wherefore should you, who are as brisk and trig 
a young fellow of your inches as the sun needs to shine on — 
wherefore need you sit moping this way, and not try some 
bold way to better your fortune?” 

“I tell you. Master Moniplies,” said Jenkin, “I am as poor 
as any Scot among you; I have broke my indenture, and I 
think of running my country.” 

“ A-well-a-day !” said Richie, “but that mamma be, man. 
I ken weel, by sad experience, that poortith takes away pith, 
and the man sits full still that has a rent in his breeks. * But 
courage, man; you have served me heretofore, and I will 
serve you now. If you will but bring me to speech of this 
same captain, it shall be the best day’s work you ever did.” 

“ I guess where you are. Master Richard : you would save 
your countryman’s long purse,” said Jenkin. “I cannot see 
how that should advantage me, but I reck not if I should 
bear a hand. I hate that braggart, that bloody-minded, cow- 
ardly bully. If you can get me mounted, I care not if I show 
you where the dame told me I should meet him ; but you must 
stand to the risk, for though he is a coward himself, I know 
he will have more than one stout feUow with him.” 

“We’ll have a warrant, man,” said Richie, “and the hue 
and cry to boot.” 

“We will have no such thing,” said Jenkin, “if I am to go 

‘ This elegant speech was made by the Earl of Douglas, called Tineman, 
after being wounded and made prisoner at the battle of Shrewsbury, where 

His well labouring sword 
Had three times slain the semblance of the king. 


500 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


with you. I am not the lad to betray any one to the harm- 
anbeck. You must do it by manhood if I am to go with you. 
I am sworn to cutter’s law, and will sell no man’s blood.” 

‘‘ Aweel, ” said Richie, “ a wilful man must have his way ; 
ye must think that I was born and bred where cracked crowns 
were plentier than whole ones. Besides, I have two noble 
friends here. Master Lowestoffe of the Temple and his cousin 
Master Ringwood, that will blythely be of so gallant a party. ” 

“Lowestoffe and Ringwood!” said Jenkin; “they are both 
brave gallants, they will be sure company. Know you where 
they are to be found?” 

“ Ay, marry do I, ” replied Richie. “ They are fast at the 
cards and dice, till the sma’ hours, I warrant them.” 

“They are gentlemen of trust and honour,” said Jenkin, 
“ and, if they advise it, I will try the adventure. Go, try if 
you can bring them hither, since you have so much to say 
with them. We must not be seen abroad together. I know 
not how it is. Master Moniplies,” continued he, as his coun- 
tenance brightened up, and while, in his turn, he filled the 
cups, “but I feel my heart something lighter since I have 
thought of this matter.” 

“Thus it is to have counsellors. Master Jenkin,” said 
Richie ; “ and truly I hope to hear you say that your heart 
is as light as a lavrock’s, and that before you are many days 
aulder. Never smile and shake your head, but mind what I 
tell you; and bide here in the mean while, till I go to seek 
these gallants. I warrant you, cart-ropes would not hold 
them back from such a ploy as I shall propose to them.” 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The thieves have bound the true men. Now, could thou and I rob the 
thieves, and go merrily to London. 

Henry IV. Part I. 

The sun was high upon the glades of Enfield Chase, and 
the deer, with which it then abounded, were seen sporting in 
picturesque groups among the ancient oaks of the forest, when 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


501 


a cavalier and a lady, on foot, althougji in riding-apparel, 
sauntered slowly up one of the long alleys which were cut 
through the park for the convenience of the hunters. Their 
only attendant was a page, who, riding a Spanish jennet, 
which seemed to bear a heavy cloak-bag, followed them at a 
respectful distance. The female, attired in all the fantastic 
finery of the period, with more than the usual quantity of 
bugles, flounces, and trimmings, and holding her fan of os- 
trich feathers in one hand and her riding-mask of black velvet 
in the other, seemed anxious, by all the little coquetry prac- 
tised on such occasions, to secure the notice of her companion, 
who sometimes heard her prattle without seeming to attend 
to it, and at other times interrupted his train of grave reflec- 
tions to reply to her. 

^^Nay, but, my lord — my lord, you walk so fast, you will 
leave me behind you. Nay, I will have hold of your arm; 
but how to manage with my mask and my fan? Why would 
you not let me bring my waiting-gentlewoman to follow us, 
and hold my things? But see, I will put my fan in my gir- 
dle, soh! and now that I have a hand to hold you with, you 
shall not run away from me.” 

“Come on, then,” answered the gallant, “and let us walk 
apace, since you would not be persuaded to stay with your 
gentlewoman, as you call her, and with the rest of the bag- 
gage. You may perhaps see that, though, you will not like 
to see.” 

She took hold of his arm accordingly ; but, as he continued 
to walk at the same pace, she shortly let go her hold, ex- 
claiming that he had hurt her hand. The cavalier stopped, 
and looked at the pretty hand and arm which she showed 
him, with exclamations against his cruelty. “ I dare say, ” she 
said, baring her wrist and a part of her arm, “ it is all black 
and blue to the very elbow.” 

“ I dare say you are a silly little fool, ” said the cavalier, 
carelessly kissing the aggrieved arm; “it is only a pretty in- 
carnate which sets off the blue veins.” 

“Nay, my lord, now it is you are silly,” answered the 
dame; “but I am glad I can make you speak and laugh on 


502 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


any terms this morning. I am sure, if I did insist on follow- 
ing you into the forest, it was all for the sake of diverting 
you. I am better company than your page, I trow. And now, 
tell me, these pretty things with horns, be they not deer?” 

“Even such they be, Nelly,” answered her neglectful at- 
tendant. 

“ And what can the great folk do with so many of them, 
forsooth?” 

“ They send them to the city, Nell, where wise jnen make 
venison pasties of their flesh, and wear their horns for tro- 
phies, ” answered Lord Dalgarno, whom our reader has already 
recognised. 

“Nay, now you laugh at me, my lord,” answered his com- 
panion ; “ but I know all about venison, whatever you may 
think. I always tasted it once a year when we dined with 
Mr. Deputy,” she continued, sadly, as a sense of her degra- 
dation stole across a mind bewildered with vanity and folly, 
“ though he would not speak to me now, if we met together 
in the narrowest lane in the ward!” 

“ I warrant he would not, ” said Lord Dalgarno, “ because 
thou, Nell, wouldst dash him with a single look; for I trust 
thou hast more spirit than to throw away words on such a 
fellow as he?” 

“Who, I!” said Dame Nelly. “Nay, I scorn the proud 
princox too much for that. Do you know, he made all the folk 
in the ward stand cap in hand to him, my poor old John 
Christie and all?” Here her recollection began to overflow at 
her eyes. 

“A plague on your whimpering,” said Dalgarno, some- 
what harshly. “Nay, never look pale for the matter, Nell. 
I am not angry with you, you simple fool. But what would 
you have me think, when you are eternally looking back upon 
your dungeon yonder by the river, which smelt of pitch and 
old cheese worse than a Welshman does of onions, and all 
this when I am taking you down to a castle as fine as is in 
Fairyland!” 

“ Shall we be there to-night, my lord?” said Nelly, drying 
her tears. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


503 


^‘To-night, Nelly! no, nor this night fortnight.” 

“ Now, the Lord be with us and keep us ! But shall we not 
go by sea, my lord? I thought everybody came from Scotland 
by sea. I am sure Lord Glenvarloch and Richie Moniplies 
came up by sea.” 

“ There is a wide difference between coming up and going 
down, Nelly,” answered Lord Dalgarno. 

“And so there is, for certain,” said his simple companion. 
But yet I think I heard people speaking of going down to 
Scotland by sea, as well as coming up. Are you well avised 
of the way? Do you think it possible we can go by land, my 
sweet lord?” 

“ It is but trying, my sweet lady, ” said Lord Dalgarno. 
“ Men say England and Scotland are in the same island, so 
one would hope there may be some road betwixt them by 
land.” 

“ I shall never be able to ride so far, ” said the lady. 

“We will have your saddle stuffed softer,” said the lord. 
“ I tell you that you shall mew your city slough, and change 
from the caterpillar of a paltry lane into the butterfly of a 
prince’s garden. You shall have as many tires as there are 
hours in the day — as many handmaidens as there are days in 
the week — as many menials as there are weeks in the year — 
and you shall ride a-hunting and hawking with a lord, instead 
of waiting upon an old ship-chandler, who could do nothing 
but hawk and spit.” 

“Ay, but will you make me your lady?” said Dame Nelly. 

“Ay, surely — what else?” replied the lord. “My lady- 
love.” 

“Ay, but I mean your lady-wife,” said Nelly. 

“ Truly, Nell, in that I cannot promise to oblige you. A 
lady-wife, ” continued Dalgarno, “ is a very different thing from 
a lady-love.” 

“ I heard from Mrs. Suddlechop, whom you lodged me with 
since I left poor old John Christie, that Lord Glenvarloch is 
to marry David Ramsay the clockmaker’s daughter?” 

“ There is much betwixt the cup and the lip, Nelly. I wear 
something about me may break the banns of that hopeful 


504 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


alliance, before the day is much older, ” answered Lord Dal- 
garno. 

‘^Well, but my father was as good a man as old Davie 
Ramsay, and as well to pass in the world, my lord; and, 
therefore, why should you not marry me? You have done 
me harm enough, I trow ; wherefore should you not do me 
this justice?” 

“For two good reasons, Nelly. Fate put a husband on 
you, and the King passed a wife upon me, ” answered Lord 
Dalgarno. 

“Ay, my lord,” said Nelly, “but they remain in England, 
and we go to Scotland.” 

“ Thy argument is better than thou art aware of,” said Lord 
Dalgarno. “ I have heard Scottish lawyers say the matrimo- 
nial tie may be unclasped in our happy country by the gentle 
hand of the ordinary course of law, whereas in England it can 
only be burst by an act of Parliament. Well, Nelly, we will 
look into that matter ; and whether we get married again or 
no, we will at least do our best to get unmarried.” 

“ Shall we indeed, my honey-sweet lord? And then I will 
think less about John Christie, for he will marry again, 1 
warrant you, for he is well to pass ; and I would be glad to 
think he had somebody to take care of him, as I used to do, 
poor loving old man ! He was a kind man, though he was a 
score of years older than I ; and I hope and pray he will never 
let a young lord cross his honest threshold again!” 

Here the dame was once more much inclined to give way to 
a passion of tears ; but Lord Dalgarno conjured down the emo- 
tion by saying, with some asperity : “ I am weary of these 
April passions, my pretty mistress, and I think you will do 
well to preserve your tears for some more pressing occasion. 
Who knows what turn of fortune may in a few minutes call 
for more of them than you can render?” 

“Goodness, my lord! what mean you by such expressions? 
John Christie, the kind heart! used to keep no secrets from 
me, and I hope your lordship will not hide your counsel 
from me.” 

“ Sit down beside me on this bank, ” said the nobleman ; “ I 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


505 


am bound to remain here for a short space, and if you can be 
but silent, I should like td spend a part of it in considering 
how far I can, on the present occasion, foUow the respectable 
example which you recommend to me.” 

The place at which he stopped was at that time little more 
than a mound, partly surrounded by a ditch, from which it 
derived the name of Camlet Moat. A few hewn stones there 
were, which had escaped the fate of many others that had 
been used in building different lodges in the forest for the 
royal keepers. These vestiges, just sufficient to show that 
“ here in former times the hand of man had been, ” marked 
the ruins of the abode of a once illustrious but long-forgotten 
family, the Mandevilles, Earls of Essex, to whom Enfield 
Chase and the extensive domains adjacent had belonged in 
elder days. A wild woodland prospect led the eye at vari- 
ous points through broad and seemingly interminable alleys, 
which, meeting at this point as at a common centre, diverged 
from each other as they receded, and had, therefore, been se- 
lected by Lord Dalgarno as the rendezvous for the combat, 
which, through the medium of Richie Moniplies, he had of- 
fered to his injured friend. Lord Glenvarloch. 

“ He will surely come?” he said to himself. “Cowardice 
was not wont to be his fault ; at least he was bold enough in 
the Park. Perhaps yonder churl may not have carried my 
message. But no — he is a sturdy knave, one of those would 
prize their master’s honour above their life. Look to the 
palfrey, Lutin, and see thou let him not loose, and cast thy 
falcon glance down every avenue to mark if any one comes. 
Buckingham has undergone my challenge, but the proud min- 
ion pleads the King’s paltry commands for refusing to answer 
me. If I can baffle this Glenvarloch, or slay him — if I can 
spoil him of his honour or his life, I shall go down to Scotland 
with credit sufficient to gild over past mischances. I know 
my dear countrymen ; they never quarrel with any one who 
brings them home either gold or martial glory, much more if 
he nas both gold and laurels.” 

As he thus reflected, and called to mind the disgrace which 
he had suffered, as well as the causes he imagined for hating 


506 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Lord Glenvarloch, his countenance altered under the influence 
of his contending emotions, to the terror of Nelly, who, sitting 
unnoticed at his feet, and looking anxiously in his face, beheld 
the cheek kindle, the mouth become compressed, the eye di- 
lated, and the whole countenance express the desperate and 
deadly resolution of one who awaits an instant and decisive 
encounter with a mortal enemy. The loneliness of the place, 
the scenery so different from that to which alone she had been 
accustomed, the dark and sombre air which crept so suddenly 
over the countenance of her seducer, his command imposing 
silence upon her, and the apparent strangeness of his conduct 
in idling away so much time without any obvious cause, when 
a journey of such length lay before them, brought strange 
thoughts into her weak brain. She had read of women, se- 
duced from their matrimonial duties by sorcerers allied to the 
hellish powers, nay, by the Father of Evil himself, who, after 
conveying his victim into some desert remote from human 
kind, exchanged the pleasing shape in which he gained her 
affections for all his natural horrors. She chased this wild 
idea away as it crowded itself upon her weak and bewildered 
imagination ; yet she might have lived to see it realised alle- 
gorically, if not literally, but for the accident which presently 
followed. 

The page, whose eyes were remarkably acute, at length 
called out to his master, pointing with his finger at the same 
time down one of the alleys, that horsemen were advancing 
in that direction. Lord Dalgarno started up, and shading his 
eyes with his hand, gazed eagerly down the alley ; when, at 
the same instant, he received a shot, which, grazing his hand, 
passed right through his brain, and laid him a lifeless corpse 
at the feet, or rather across the lap, of the unfortunate victim 
of his profligacy. The countenance, whose varied expression 
she had been watching for the last five minutes, was convulsed 
for an instant, and then stiffened into rigidity for ever. 
Three ruffians rushed from the brake from which the shot 
had been fired, ere the smoke was dispersed. One, with many 
imprecations, seized on the page ; another on the female, upon 
whose cries he strove by the most violent threats to impose 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


607 


silence ; whilst the third began to undo the burden from the 
page’s horse. But an instant rescue prevented their availing 
themselves of the advantage they had obtained. 

It may easily be supposed that Richie Moniplies, having 
secured the assistance of the two Templars, ready enough to 
join in anything which promised a fray, with Jin Vin to act 
as their guide, had set off, gallantly mounted and well armed, 
under the belief that they would reach Camlet Moat before 
the robbers, and apprehend them in the fact. They had not 
calculated that, according to the custom of robbers in other 
countries, but contrary to that of the English highwaymen of 
those days, they meant to ensure robbery by previous murder. 
An accident also happened to delay them a little while on the 
road. In riding through one of the glades of the forest, they 
found a man dismounted and sitting under a tree, groaning 
with such bitterness of spirit that Lowestoffe could not forbear 
asking if he was hurt. In answer, he said he was an unhappy 
man in pursuit of his wife, who had been carried off by a 
villain j and as he raised his countenance, the eyes of Richie, 
to his great astonishment, encountered the visage of John 
Christie. 

‘‘For the Almighty’s sake, help me. Master Moniplies!” he 
said ; I have learned my wife is but a short mile before, 
with that black villain Lord Dalgarno. ” 

“ Have him forward by all means, ” said Lowestoffe — “ a 
second Orpheus seeking his Eurydice! Have him forward; 
we will save Lord Dalgarno’ s purse and ease him of his mis- 
tress. Have him with us, were it but for the variety of the 
adventure. I owe his lordship a grudge for rooking me. We 
have ten minutes good.” 

But it is dangerous to calculate closely in matters of life 
and death. In all probability the minute or two which was 
lost in mounting John Christie behind one of their party 
might have saved Lord Dalgarno from his fate. Thus his 
criminal amour became the indirect cause of his losing his 
life; and thus ‘^our pleasant vices are made the whips to 
scourge us.” 

The riders arrived on the field at full gallop the moment 


508 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


after the shot was fired ; and Eichie, who had his own reasons 
for attaching himself to Colepepper, who was bustling to untie 
the portmanteau from the page’s saddle, pushed against him 
with such violence as to overthrow him, his own horse at the 
same time stumbling and dismounting his rider, who was 
none of the first equestrians. The undaunted Eichie imme- 
diately arose, however, and grappled with the ruffian with 
such good will that, though a strong fellow, and though a 
coward now rendered desperate, Moniplies got him under, 
wrenched a long knife from his hand, dealt him a desperate 
stab with his own weapon, and leaped on his feet ; and, as 
the wounded man struggled to follow his example, he struck 
him upon the head with the butt-end of a musketoon, which 
last blow proved fatal. 

“Bravo, Eichie!” cried Lowestoffe, who had himself en- 
gaged at sword-point with one of the ruffians, and soon put 
him to flight. “Bravo! why, man, there lies sin, struck 
down like an ox, and iniquity’s throat cut like a calf.” 

“ I know not why you should upbraid me with my upbring- 
ing, Master Lowestoffe,” answered Eichie with great compo- 
sure ; “ but I can tell you the shambles is not a bad place for 
training one to this work.” 

The other Templar now shouted loudly to them : “ If ye be 
men, come hither; here lies Lord Dalgarno, murdered!” 

Lowestoffe and Eichie ran to the spot, and the page took 
the opportunity, finding himself now neglected on all hands, 
to ride off in a different direction ; and neither he nor the con- 
siderable sum with which his horse was burdened were ever 
heard of from that moment. 

The third ruffian had not waited the attack of the Templar 
and Jin Yin, the latter of whom had put down old Christie 
from behind him that he might ride the lighter ; and the 
whole five now stood gazing with horror on the bloody corpse 
of the young nobleman, and the wild sorrow of the female, 
who tore her hair and shrieked in the most disconsolate man- 
ner, until her agony was at once checked, or rather received a 
new direction, by the sudden and unexpected appearance of 
her husband, who, fixing on her a cold and severe look, said. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


509 


in a tone suited to his manner : “ Ay, woman ! thou takest on 
sadly for the loss of thy paramour.” Then looking on the 
bloody corpse of him from whom he had received so deep an 
injury, he repeated the solemn words of Scripture: “^Ven- 
geance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay it. ^ I, whom 
thou hast injured, will be first to render thee the decent offices 
due to the dead.” 

So saying, he covered the dead body with his cloak, and 
then looking on it for a moment, seemed to reflect on what he 
had next to perform. As the eye of the injured man slowly 
passed from the body of the seducer to the partner and victim 
of his crime, who had sunk down to his feet, which she clasped 
without venturing to look up, his features, naturally coarse 
and saturnine, assumed a dignity of expression which over- 
awed the young Templars, and repulsed the officious forward- 
ness of Richie Moniplies, who was at first eager to have 
thrust in his advice and opinion. “Kneel not to me, wo- 
man, ” he said, “ but kneel to the God thou hast offended more 
than thou couldst offend such another worm as thyself. How 
often have I told thee, when thou wert at the gayest and the 
lightest, that pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty 
spirit before a fall? Vanity brought folly, and folly brought 
sin, and sin hath brought death, his original companion. 
Thou must needs leave duty, and decency, and domestic love, 
to revel it gaily with the wild and with the wicked ; and there 
thou liest, like a crushed worm, writhing beside the lifeless 
body of thy paramour. Thou hast done me much wrong — 
dishonoured me among friends — driven credit from my house, 
and peace from my fireside. But thou wert my first and only 
love, and I will not see thee an utter castaway, if it lies with 
me to prevent it. Gentlemen, I render ye such thanks as a 
broken-hearted man can give. Richard, commend me to your 
honourable master. I added gall to the bitterness of his afflic- 
tion, but I was deluded. Rise up, woman, and follow me.” 

He raised her up by the arm, while, with streaming eyes 
and bitter sobs, she endeavoured to express her penitence. 
She kept her hands spread over her face, yet suffered him to 
lead her away ; and it was only as they turned around a brake 


510 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


which concealed the scene they had left, that she turned back, 
and casting one wild and hurried glance towards the corpse of 
Dalgarno, uttered a shriek, and, clinging to her husband’s 
arm, exclaimed wildly, “ Save me — save me ! They have mur- 
dered him!” 

Lowestoffe was much moved by what he had witnessed; 
but he was ashamed, as a town gallant, of his own unfashion- 
able emotion, and did a force to his feelings when he ex- 
claimed, “ Ay, let them go — the kind-hearted, believing, for- 
giving husband — the liberal, accommodating spouse. Oh what 
a generous creature is your true London husband! Horns 
hath he, but, tame as a fatted ox, he goreth not. I should like 
to see her when she hath exchanged her mask and riding- 
beaver for her peaked hat and muffler. We will visit them 
at Paul’s Wharf, coz; it will be a convenient acquaintance.” 

“ You had better think of catching the gipsy thief, Lutin, ” 
said Richie Moniplies, “ for, by my faith, he is off with his 
master’s baggage and the siller.” 

A keeper, with his assistants and several other persons, had 
now come to the spot, and made hue and cry after Lutin, but 
in vain. To their custody the Templars surrendered the dead 
bodies, and after going through some formal investigation 
they returned, with Richard and Vincent, to London, where 
they received great applause for their gallantry. Vincent’s 
errors were easily expiated in consideration of his having been 
the means of breaking up this band of villains ; and there is 
some reason to think that what would have diminished the 
credit of the action in other instances rather added to it in 
the actual circumstances, namely, that they came too late to 
save Lord Dalgarno. 

George Heriot, who suspected how matters stood with Vin- 
cent, requested and obtained permission from his master to 
send the poor young fellow on an important piece of business 
to Paris. We are unable to trace his fate farther, but believe 
it was prosperous, and that he entered into an advantageous 
partnership with his fellow-apprentice, upon old Davie Ram- 
say retiring from business, in consequence of his daughter’s 
marriage. That eminent antiquary. Dr. Dryasdust, is pos- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


511 


sessed of an antique watch, with a silver dial-plate, the main- 
spring being a piece of catgut instead of a chain, which bears 
the names of “Vincent and Tunstall, memory -monitors.” 

Master Lowestoffe failed not to vindicate his character as 
a man of gaiety by inquiring after John Christie and Dame 
Nelly ; but, greatly to his surprise, indeed to his loss, for he 
had wagered ten pieces that he would domesticate himself in 
the family, he found the good-will, as it was called, of the 
shop was sold, the stock auctioned, and the late proprietor and 
his wife gone, no one knew whither. The prevailing belief 
was that they had emigrated to one of the new settlements in 
America. 

Lady Dalgarno received the news of her unworthy hus- 
band^ s death with a variety of emotions, among which horror 
that he should have been cut off in the middle career of his 
profligacy was the most prominent. The incident greatly 
deepened her melancholy, and injured her health, already 
shaken by previous circumstances. Repossessed of her own 
fortune by her husband’s death, she was anxious to do jus- 
tice to Lord Glenvarloch by treating for the recovery of the 
mortgage. But the scrivener, having taken fright at the late 
events, had left the city and absconded, so that it was impos- 
sible to discover into whose hands the papers had now passed. 
Richard Moniplies was silent for his own reasons ; the Tem- 
plars, who had witnessed the transaction, kept the secret at 
his request ; and it was universally believed that the scrivener 
had carried off the writings along with him. We may here 
observe, that fears similar to those of Skurliewhitter freed 
London for ever from the presence of Dame Suddlechop, who 
ended her career in the rasp-haus (viz. bridewell) of Amster- 
dam. 

The stout old Lord Huntinglen, with a haughty carriage 
and unmoistened eye, accompanied the funeral procession of 
his only son to its last abode; and perhaps the single tear 
which fell at length upon the coffin was given less to the fate 
of the individual than to the extinction of the last male of his 
ancient race. 


612 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Jacqties. There is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are 
coming to the ark ! Here comes a pair of very strange beasts. 

As You Like It. 

The fashion of such narratives as the present changes like 
other earthly things. Time was that the tale-teller was 
obliged to wind up his story by a circumstantial description 
of the wedding, bedding, and throwing the stocking, as the 
grand catastrophe to which, through so many circumstances 
of doubt and difficulty, he had at length happily conducted 
his hero and heroine. Not a circumstance was then omitted, 
from the manly ardour of the bridegroom and the modest 
blushes of the bride to the parson’s new surplice and the silk 
tabinet mantua of the bridesmaid. But such descriptions are 
now discarded, for the same reason, I suppose, that public 
marriages are no longer fashionable, and that, instead of call- 
ing together their friends to a feast and a dance, the happy 
couple elope in a solitary post-chaise, as secretly as if they 
meant to go to Gretna Green or to do worse. I am not un- 
grateful for a change which saves an author the trouble of 
attempting in vain to give a new colour to the commonplace 
description of such matters ; but, notwithstanding, I find my- 
self forced upon it in the present instance, as circumstances 
sometimes compel a stranger to make use of an old road which 
has been for some time shut up. The experienced reader may 
have already remarked that the last chapter was employed in 
sweeping out of the way all the unnecessary and less interest- 
ing characters, that I might clear the floor for a blythe bridal. 

In truth, it would be unpardonable to pass over slightly 
what so deeply interested our principal personage. King James. 
That learned and good-humoured monarch made no great figure 
in the politics of Europe ; but then, to make amends, he was 
prodigiously busy when he could find a fair opportunity of 
intermeddling with the private affairs of his loving subjects, 
and the approaching marriage of Lord Glenvarloch was matter 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


513 


of great interest to him. He had been much struck, that is, 
for him, who was not very accessible to such emotions, with 
the beauty and embarrassment of the pretty Peg-a-Ramsay, 
as he called her, when he first saw her, and he glorified him- 
self greatly on the acuteness which he had displayed in de- 
tecting her disguise, and in carrying through the whole inquiry 
which took place in consequence of it. 

He laboured for several weeks, while the courtship was in 
progress, with his own royal eyes, so as wellnigh to wear out, 
he declared, a pair of her father’s best barnacles, in searching 
through old books and documents, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing the bride’s pretensions to a noble, though remote, de- 
scent, and thereby remove the only objection which envy might 
conceive against the match. In his own opinion, at least, he 
was eminently successful; for, when Sir Mungo Malagrowther 
one day, in the presence-chamber, took upon him to grieve 
bitterly for the bride’s lack of pedigree, the monarch cut him 
short with : Ye may save your brief for your ain next occa- 
sions, Sir Mungo ; for, by our royal saul, we will uphauld her 
father, Davie Ramsay, to be a gentleman of nine descents, 
whase great gudesire came of the auld martial stock of the 
house of Dalwolsey, than whom better men never did, and 
better never will, draw sword for king and country. Heard 
ye never of Sir William Ramsay of Dalwolsey, man, of whom 
John Fordoun saith, ^He was bellicosissimus, nobilissimus ’ ? 
His castle stands to witness for itself, not three miles from 
Dalkeith, man, and within a mile of Bannockrig. Davie 
Ramsay came of that auld and honoured stock, and I trust 
he hath not derogated from his ancestors by his present craft. 
They all wrought wi’ steel, man ; only the auld knights drilled 
holes wi’ their swords in their enemies’ corslets, and he saws 
nicks in his brass wheels. And I hope it is as honourable to 
give eyes to the blind as to slash them out of the head of those 
that see; and to show us how to value our time as it passes, 
as to fling it away in drinking, brawling, spear-splintering, 
and such-like unchristian doings. And you maun understand 
that Davie Ramsay is no mechanic, but follows a liberal art, 
which approacheth almost to the act of creating a living being, 
33 


514 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


seeing it may be said of a watch, as Claudius saith of the 
sphere of Archimedes, the Syracusan : 

Inclusus variis famulatur spiritus astris, 

Et vivum certis motibus urget opus.’' 

“ Your Majesty had best give auld Davie a coat-of-arms as 
well as a pedigree, ” said Sir Mungo. 

“It^s done or ye bade. Sir Mungo, said the King; “and I 
trust we, who are the fountain of all earthly honour, are free 
to spirt a few drops of it on one so near our person, without 
offence to the knight of Castle Girnigo. We have already 
spoken with the learned men of the Herald’s College, and we 
propose to grant him an augmented coat-of-arms, being his 
paternal coat, charged with the crown-wheel of a watch in 
chief, for a difference ; and we purpose to add Time and Eter- 
nity, for supporters, as soon as the Garter King-at-Arms shall 
be able to devise how Eternity is to be represented.” 

“ I would make him twice as muckle as Time,” ’ said Archie 
Armstrong, the court fool, who chanced to be present when 
the King stated this dilemma. 

“ Peace, man — ye shall be whippet, ” said the King, in re- 
turn for this hint; “and you, my liege subjects of England, 
may weel take a hint from what we have said, and not be in 
such a hurry to laugh at our Scottish pedigrees, though they 
be somewhat long derived and difficult to be deduced. Ye 
see that a man of right gentle blood may, for a season, lay by 
his gentry, and yet ken whare to find it, when he has occasion 
for it. It would be as unseemly for a packman, or pedlar, as 
ye call a travelling-merchant, whilk is a trade to which our 
native subjects of Scotland are specially addicted, to be blaz- 
ing his genealogy in the faces of those to whom he sells a 
bawbee’s worth of ribbon, as it would be to him to have a 
beaver on his head and a rapier by his side, when the pack 
was on his shoulders. Na — na, he hings his sword on the 
cleek, lays his beaver on the shelf, puts his pedigree into his 
pocket, and gangs as doucely and cannily about his peddling 

* Chaucer says, there is nothing new but what it has been old, The 
reader has here the original of an anecdote which has since been fathered 
on a Scottish chief of our own time. 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


515 


craft as if his blood was nae better than ditch-water j but let 
our pedlar be transformed, as I have kenned it happen mair 
than ance, into a bein thriving merchant, then ye shall have 
a transformation, my lords. 

In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas. 

Out he pulls his pedigree, on he buckles his sword, gives 
his beaver a brush, and cocks it in the face of all creation. 
We mention these things at the mair length, because we would 
have you all to know that it is not without due consideration 
of the circumstances of all parties that we design, in a small 
and private way, to honour with our own royal presence the 
marriage of Lord Glenvarloch with Margaret Ramsay, daugh- 
ter and heiress of David Ramsay, our horologer, and a cadet 
only thrice removed from the ancient house of Dalwolsey. 
We are grieved we cannot have the presence of the noble 
chief of that house at the ceremony; but where there is hon- 
our to be won abroad, the Lord Dalwolsey is seldom to be 
found at home. Sic fuit, est, et erit. Jingling Geordie, as 
ye stand to the cost of the marriage-feast, we look for good 
cheer.’’ 

Heriot bowed, as in duty bound. In fact, the King, who 
was a great politician about trifles, had manoeuvred greatly on 
this occasion, and had contrived to get the Prince and Buck- 
ingham despatched on an expedition to Newmarket, in order 
that he might find an opportunity in their absence of indulg- 
ing himself in his own gossiping, “ coshering” habits, which 
were distasteful to Charles, whose temper inclined to formal- 
ity, and with which even the favourite, of late, had not 
thought it worth while to seem to sympathise. 

When the levee was dismissed. Sir Mungo Malagrowther 
seized upon the worthy citizen in the courtyard of the palace, 
and detained him, in spite of all his efforts, for the purpose 
of subjecting him to the following scrutiny : 

“ This is a sair job on you. Master George — the King must 
have had little consideration — this will cost you a bonny 
penny, this wedding-dinner?” 

“It will not break me. Sir Mungo,” answered Heriot; “the 


616 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


King hatli a right to see the table which his bounty hath sup- 
plied for years well covered for a single day.” 

“Vera true — vera true; we’ll have a’ to pay, I doubt, less 
or mail’ : a sort of penny -wedding ^ it will prove, where all 
men contribute to the young folks’ maintenance, that they 
may not have just four bare legs in a bed thegether. What 
do you purpose to give. Master George? we begin with the 
city when money is in question.” 

“Only a trifle. Sir Mungo: I give my god-daughter the 
marriage-ring. It is a curious jewel — I bought it in Italy; 
it belonged to Cosmo de Medici. The bride will not need my 
help : she has an estate which belonged to her maternal grand- 
father.” 

“ The auld soap-boiler, ” said Sir Mungo ; “ it will need some 
of his suds to scour the blot out of* the Glenvarloch shield. 
I have heard that estate was no great things.” 

“ It is as good as some posts at court. Sir Mungo, which are 
coveted by persons of high quality,” replied George Heriot. 

“Court favour, said ye! — court favour. Master Heriot!” re- 
plied Sir Mungo, choosing then to use his malady of misap- 
prehension. “ Moonshine in water, poor thing, if that is all 
she is to be tochered with. I am truly solicitous about 
them.” 

“ I will let you into a secret, ” said the citizen, “ which will 
relieve your tender anxiety. The dowager Lady Dalgarno 
gives a competent fortune to the bride, and settles the rest of 
her estate upon her nephew the bridegroom. ” 

“Ay, say ye sae?” said Sir Mungo, “just to show her 
regard to her husband that is in the tomb; lucky that her 
nephew did not send him there. It was a strange story that 
death of poor Lord Dalgarno ; some folk think the poor gen- 
tleman had much wrong. Little good comes of marrying the 
daughter of the house you are at feud with ; indeed, it was 
less poor Dalgarno’ s fault than theirs that forced the match 
on him. But I am glad the young folk are to have something 
to live on, come how it like, whether by charity or inheri- 
tance. But if the Lady Dalgarno were to sell all she has, even 
^ See Note 44. 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


617 


to her very wylie-coat, she canna gie them back the fair Castle 
of Glenvarloch : that is lost and gane — lost and gane.” 

“ It is but too true, ” said George Heriot ; we cannot dis- 
cover what has become of the villain Andrew Skurliewhitter, 
or what Lord Dalgarno has done with the mortgage.’^ 

“ Assigned it away to some one, that his wife might not get 
it after he was gane; it would have disturbed him in his grave 
to think Glenvarloch should get that land back again,” said 
Sir Mungo; “depend on it, he will have ta’en sure measures 
to keep that noble lordship out of her gripe or her nevoy^s 
either.” 

“Indeed, it is but too probable. Sir Mungo,” said Master 
Heriot; “but, as I am obliged to go and look after many 
things in consequence of this ceremony, I must leave you to 
comfort yourself with the reflection.” 

“ The bride-day, you say, is to be on the thirtieth of the 
instant month?” said Sir Mungo, hallooing after the citizen. 
“ I will be with you in the hour of cause.” 

“ The King invites the guests, ” said George Heriot, without 
turning back. 

“ The base-born, ill-bred mechanic!” soliloquised Sir Mungo, 
“ if it were not the odd score of pounds he lent me last week, 
I would teach him how to bear himself to a man of quality! 
But I will be at the bridal banquet in spite of him.” 

Sir Mungo contrived to get invited, or commanded, to at- 
tend on the bridal accordingly, at which there were but few 
persons present; for James, on such occasions, preferred a 
snug privacy, which gave him liberty to lay aside the encum- 
brance, as he felt it to be, of his regal dignity. The company 
was very small, and indeed there were at least two persons 
absent whose persence might have been expected The first 
of these was the Lady Dalgarno, the state of whose health, 
as well as the recent death of her husband, precluded her at- 
tendance on the ceremony. The other absentee was Richie 
Moniplies, whose conduct for some time past had been ex- 
tremely mysterious. Regulating his attendance on Lord 
Glenvarloch entirely according to his own will and pleasure, 
he had, ever since the rencounter in Enfield Chase, appeared 


518 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


regularly at his bedside in the morning, to assist him to dress, 
and at his wardrobe in the evening. The rest of the day he 
disposed of at his own pleasure, without control from his lord, 
who had now a complete establishment of attendants. Yet 
he was somewhat curious to know how the fellow disposed of 
so much of his time; but on this subject Richie showed no 
desire to be communicative. 

On the morning of the bridal day, Richie was particularly 
attentive in doing all a valet-de-chamhre could, so as to set off 
to advantage the very handsome figure of his master; and 
when he had arranged his dress with the utmost exactness, 
and put to his long curled locks what he called “ the finishing 
touch of the redding-kaim, he gravely kneeled down, kissed 
his hand, and bade him farewell, saying, that he humbly 
craved leave to discharge himself of his lordship’s service. 

“Why, what humour is this?” said Lord Glenvarloch; “if 
you mean to discharge yourself of my service, Richie, I sup- 
pose you intend to enter my wife’s?” 

“ I wish her good ladyship that shall soon be, and your 
good lordship, the blessings of as good a servant as myself, 
in Heaven’s good time,” said Richie; “but fate hath so or- 
dained it that I can henceforth only be your servant in the 
way of friendly courtesy.” 

“ Well, Richie, ” said the young lord, “ if you are tired of ser- 
vice, we will seek some better provision for you ; but you will 
wait on me to the church, and partake of the bridal dinner?” 

“Under favour, my lord,” answered Richie, “I must re- 
mind you of our covenant, having presently some pressing 
business of mine own, whilk will detain me during the cere- 
mony; but I will not fail to prie Master George’s good cheer, 
in respect he has made very costly fare, whilk it would be 
unthankful not to partake of. ” 

“ Do as you list, ” answered Lord Glenvarlckih ; and, having 
bestowed a passing thought on the whimsical and pragmatical 
disposition of his follower, he dismissed the subject for others 
better suited to the day. 

The reader must fancy the scattered flowers which strewed 
the path of the happy couple to church — the loud music which 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


619 


accompanied the procession — the marriage service performed 
by a bishop — the King, who met them at St. PauUs, giving 
away the bride, to the great relief of her father, who had 
thus time, during the ceremony, to calculate the just quotient 
to be laid on the pinion of report in a timepiece which he 
was then putting together. 

When the ceremony was finished, the company were, trans- 
ported in the royal carriages to George Heriot’s, where a 
splendid collation was provided for the marriage guests in the 
Foljambe apartments. The King no sooner found himself in 
this snug retreat than, casting from him his sword and belt with 
such haste as if they burnt his fingers, and flinging his plumed 
hat on the table, as who should say, Lie there, authority 
he swallowed a hearty cup of wine to the happiness of the 
married couple, and began to amble about the room, mump- 
ing, laughing, and cracking jests, neither the wittiest nor the 
most delicate, but accompanied and applauded by shouts of 
his own mirth, in order to encourage that of the company. 
Whilst his Majesty was in the midst of this gay humour, and 
a call to the banquet was anxiously expected, a servant whis- 
pered Master Heriot forth of the apartment. When he re- 
entered, he walked up to the King, and, in his turn, whispered 
something, at which James started. 

“ He is not wanting his siller?” said the King, shortly and 
sharply. 

“ By no means, my liege, ” answered Heriot. “ It is a sub- 
ject he states himself as quite indifferent about, so long as it 
can pleasure your Majesty.” 

‘^Body of us, man!” said the King, “it is the speech of a 
true man and a loving subject, and we will grace him accord- 
ingly ; what though he be but a carle — a twopenny cat may 
look at a king. Swith, man! have him — pandite fores. Moni- 
plies! They should have called the chield Monypennies, 
though I shall warrant you English think we have not such 
a name in Scotland.” 

“ It is an ancient and honourable stock, the Monypennies, ” 
said Sir Mungo Malagrowther 5 “the only loss’ is, there are 
sae few of the name.” 


620 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


The fs-mily seems to increase among your countrymen, Sir 
Mungo, said Master Lowestoffe, whom Lord Glenvarloch had 
invited to be present, ‘‘ since his Majesty’s happy accession 
brought so many of you here.” 

“Right, sir — right,” said Sir Mungo, nodding and looking 
at George Heriot; “there have some of ourselves been the 
better of that great blessing to the English nation. ” 

As he spoke, the door flew open, and in entered, to the as- 
tonishment of Lord Glenvarloch, his late serving-man, Richie 
Moniplies, now sumptuously, nay, gorgeously, attired in a 
superb brocaded suit, and leading in his hand the tall, thin, 
withered, somewhat distorted form of Martha Trapbois, ar- 
rayed in a complete dress of black velvet, which suited so 
strangely with the pallid and severe melancholy of her coun- 
tenance, that the King himself exclaimed, in some perturba- 
iton : “ What the deil has the fallow brought us here? -Body 
of our regal selves ! it is a corpse that has run off with the 
mort-cloth!” 

“ May I sifflicate your Majesty to be gracious unto her?” 
said Richie; “being that she is, in respect of this morning’s 
w-ark, my ain wedded wife, Mrs. Martha Moniplies by name.” 

“Saul of our body, man! but she looks wondrous grim,” 
answered King J ames. “ Art thou sure she has not been in 
her time maid of honour to Queen Mary, our kinswoman, of 
red-hot memory?” 

“ I am sure, an it like your Majesty, that she has brought 
me fifty thousand pounds of good siller, and better ; and that 
has enabled me to pleasure your Majesty and other folk.” 

“Ye need have said naething about that, man,” said the 
King; “we ken our obligations in that sma’ matter, and we 
are glad this rudas spouse of thine hath bestowed her treasure 
on ane wha kens to put it to the profit of his King and coun- 
try. But how the deil did ye come by her, man?” 

“ In the auld Scottish fashion, my liege. She is the cap- 
tive of my bow and my spear,” answered Moniplies. “ There 
was a convention that she should wed me when I avenged her 
father’s death; so I slew and took possession.” 

“ It is the daughter of old Trapbois, who has been missed 


THE FORTUNES OP NIGEL. 


521 


so long, ” said Lowestoffe. “ Where the devil could you mew 
her up so closely, friend Richie?” 

“ Master Richard, if it be your will, ” answered Richie ; “ or 
Master Richard Moniplies, if you like it better. For mewing 
of her up, I found her a shelter, in all honour and safety, 
under the roof of an honest countryman of my own; and for 
secrecy, it was a point of prudence, when wantons like you 
were abroad. Master Lowestoffe.” 

There was a laugh at Richie’s magnanimous reply, on the 
part of every one but his bride, who made to him a signal of 
impatience, and said, with her usual brevity and sternness, 
“Peace — peace — I pray you, peace. Let us do that which 
we came for.” So saying, she took out a bundle of parch- 
ments, and delivering them to Lord Glenvarloch, she said 
aloud : “ I take this royal presence, and all here, to witness, 
that I restore the ransomed lordship of Glenvarloch to the 
right owner, as free as ever it was held by any of his an- 
cestors.” 

“ I witnessed the redemption of the mortgage, ” said Lowe- 
stoffe ; “ but I little dreamt by whom it had been redeemed. ” 

“No need ye should,” said Richie; “there would have 
been smaR wisdom in crying roast-meat.” 

“Peace,” said his bride, “once more. This paper,” she 
continued, delivering another to Lord Glenvarloch, “is also 
your property ; take it, but spare me the question how it came 
into my custody.” 

The King had bustled forward beside Lord Glenvarloch, 
and fixing an eager eye on the writing, exclaimed : “ Body of 
ourselves, it is our royal sign-manual for the money which 
was so long out of sight! How came you by it, Mrs. Bride?” 

“ It is a secret, ” said Martha, drily. 

“ A secret which my tongue shall never utter, ” said Richie, 
resolutely, “unless the King commands me on my allegiance.” 

“I do — I do command you,” said James, trembling and 
stammering with the impatient curiosity of a gossip; while 
Sir Mungo, with more malicious anxiety to get at the bottom 
of the mystery, stooped his long thin form forward like a bent 
fishing-rod, raised his thin grey locks from his ear, and curved 


522 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


his hand behind it to collect every vibration of the expected 
intelligence. Martha, in the mean time, frowned most omi- 
nously on Richie, who went, on undauntedly to inform the 
King, That his deceased father-in-law, a gbod careful man 
in the main, had a touch of worldly wisdom about him, that 
at times marred the uprightness of his walk: he liked <to 
dabble among his neighbour's gear, and some of it would at 
times stick to his fingers in the handling.’’ 

^^For shame, man — for shame!” said Martha; since the 
infamy of the deed must be told, be it at least briefly. Yes, 
my lord, ” she added, addressing Glenvarloch, “ the piece of 
gold was not the sole bait which brought the miserable old 
man to your chamber that dreadful night : his object, and he 
accomplished it, was to purloin this paper. The wretched 
scrivener was with him that morning, and, I doubt not, urged 
the doting old man to this villainy, to offer another bar to the 
ransom of your estate. If there was a yet more powerful 
agent at the bottom of the conspiracy, God forgive it to him 
at this moment, for he is now where the crime must be an- 
swered!” 

“Amen!” said Lord Glenvarloch, and it was echoed by all 
present. 

“For my father,” continued she, with her stern features 
twitched by an involuntary and convulsive movement, “ his 
guilt and folly cost him his life ; and my belief is constant, 
that the wretch who counselled him that morning to purloin 
the paper left open the window for the entrance of the mur- 
derers.” 

Everybody was silent for an instant ; the King was first to 
speak, commanding search instantly to be made for the guilty 
scrivener, “i lictor,^^ he concluded, colliga manus, caput 
ohnuhitOf infelici suspendite arhori. ” Lowestoff e answered with 
due respect, that the scrivener had absconded at the time of 
Lord Dalgarno’s murder, and had not been heard of since. 

“ Let him be sought for, ” said the King. “ And now let 
us change the discourse ; these stories make one’s very blood 
grew, and are altogether unfit for bridal festivity. Hymen, 
0 Hymenee!” added he, snapping his fingers. “Lord Glen- 


THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


523 


vaxloch, what say you to Mistress Moniplies, this bonny bride, 
that has brought you back your father’s estate on your bridal 
day?” 

“Let him say nothing, my liege,” said Martha; “that will 
best suit his feelings and mine.” 

“There is redemption-money, at the least, to be- repaid,” 
said Lord Glenvarloch ; “ in that I cannot remain debtor. ” 

“We will speak of it hereafter,” said Martha; “wy debtor 
you cannot be.” And she shut her mouth as if determined 
to say nothing more on the subject. 

Sir Mungo, however, resolved not to part with the topic, 
and availing himself of the freedom of the moment, said to 
Richie; “A queer story that of your father-in-law, honest 
man; methinks your bride thanked you little for ripping 
it up.” 

“ I make it a rule. Sir Mungo, ” replied Richie, “ always to 
speak any evil I know about my family myself, having ob- 
served that if I do not, it is sure to be told by ither folks.” 

“ But, Richie, ” said Sir Mungo, “ it seems to me that this 
bride of yours is like to be master and mair in the conjugal 
state.” 

“ If she abides by words. Sir Mungo, ” answered Richie, “ I 
thank Heaven I can be as deaf as any one; and if she comes , 
to dunts, I have twa hands to paik her with.” 

“ Weel said, Richie, again,” said the King; “you have 
gotten it on baith haffits. Sir Mungo. Troth, Mistress Bride, 
for a fule, your gudeman has a pretty turn of wit.” 

“ There are fools, sire, ” replied she, “ who have wit, and 
fools who have courage — aye, and fools who have learning 
and are great fools notwithstanding. I chose this man be- 
cause he was my protector when I was desolate, and neither 
for his wit nor his wisdom. is truly honest, and has a 

heart and hand that make amends for some folly. Since I 
w^as condemned to seek a protector through the world, which 
is to me a wilderness, I may thank God that I have come by 
no worse.” 

“ And that is sae sensibly said, ” replied the King, “ that, 
by my saul. I’ll try whether I canna make him better. Kneel 


524 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


down, Richie ; somebody lend me a rapier — yours, Mr. Lang- 
staff — that’s a brave name for a lawyer! Ye need not flash 
it out that gate. Templar fashion, as if ye were about to pink 
a bailiff!” 

He took the drawn sword, and with averted eyes, for it was 
a sight he loved not to look on, endeavoured to lay it on 
Richie’s shoulder, but nearly stuck it into his eye. Richie, 
starting back, attempted to rise, but was held down by Lowe- 
stoffe, while Sir Mungo guiding the royal weapon, the honour- 
bestowing blow was given and received. “ Surge, carnifex. 
Rise up. Sir Richard Moniplies of Castle Collop! And, my 
lords and lieges, let us all to our dinner, for the cock-a-leekie 
is cooling.” 


NOTES TO THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL, 


Note I.—George Heriot’s Hospital, p. 5. 

After Heriot’s death in 1624, the site originally for the hospital at the 
foot of Gray’s Close, Cowgate, not far from the old mint, consisted of houses 
which belonged to Heriot, and which he bequeathed to his executors for 
that purpose. In June 1627, when Dr. Balcanquall, Dean of Rochester, 
came to Edinburgh to make arrangements for carrying Heriot’s intentions 
into effect, of founding “ so great a work,” it was concluded that this site 
was quite ineligible ; and, fortunately, the provost and council agreed to 
transfer certain acres, which they had recently purchased, known as the 
High Riggs, to the south of the Grassmarket, for the proposed building, 
and William Wallace, the king’s master-mason, was appointed to super- 
intend the work. On the 1st of July 1628, after a sermon, the ground- 
stone was laid. Wallace did not live fo complete the building, having 
died in October 1631. That the present quadrangular build,ing was actu- 
ally designed by him is clear from the minutes of the Governors, and the 
various items of the treasurer’s accounts, from the day when the usual 
drink-money was paid for laying the foundation to Wallace and his work- 
men, with the sums they received from week to week. A good deal of 
useless discussion has taken place in regard to the architect: 1. Dean 
Balcanquall on his head is said to have brought with him a design by 
Inigo Jones ; 2. the dean himself has been named, he having furnished, 
not the pattern of the building, but the statutes, in 1627, for the govern- 
ment of the hospital ; and 3. William Aytoun, junior, appointed master- 
mason as successor to Wallace, 1631-32, has also been lauded, but without 
the slightest evidence in either of these cases to deprive Wallace of the 
honour. The governors voted a sum to Wallace’s widow, in consideration 
of his extraordinary pains at the beginning thereof, “ upon the Modell, 
AND Frame thairof.” Aytoun was likewise expressly enjoined “ to pros- 
ecute and follow forth the Modell, Frame, and Building of the said 
Ware as the same is already begun.” Aytoun, who died in 1640, was suc- 
ceeded as master-mason by John Mylne, but the want of funds prevented 
the hospital being completed with a handsome spire, as exhibited in an 
old engraving, about 1646, while the building was still in progress. — Seethe 
Rev. Dr. Steven’s History of the Hospital, edited by Dr. Bedford, 1859, and 
extracts in a paper, ” Who was the Architect of Heriot’s Hospital ? ” in the 
Transactions of the Architectural Institute of Scotland, sess. 1851-52, p. 13 
(Laing). 

Note 2. — Debauchery of the Period, p. 10. 

Harrington’s Nugse Antiqux, vol. ii. pp. 129, 130 [ed. 1779]. For the gross 
debauchery of the period, too much encouraged by the example of the 

525 


526 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


monarch, who was, in other respects, neither without talent nor a good- 
natured disposition, see Winwood’s Memorials, Howel’s Letters, and other 
memorials of the time ; but particularly consult the Private Letters and 
Correspondence of Steenie, alias Buckingham, with his reverend Dad and Gos- 
sip, King James, which abound w'ith the grossest as well as the most child- 
ish language. The learned Mr. D’ Israeli, in an attempt to vindicate the 
character of James, has only succeeded in obtaining for himself the char- 
acter of a skilful and ingenious advocate, without much advantage to his 
royal client. 

Note 3. — Alsatian Chakactebs, p. 11. 

“ Cheatly, a rascal, who, by reason of debts, dares not stir out of White- 
friars, but there inveigles young heirs in tail, and helps them to goods and 
money upon great disadvantages, is bound for them, and shares with them 
till he undoes them, A lewd, impudent, debauched fellow, very expert in 
the cant about the town. 

“ Shamwell, cousin to the Belfonds, an heir, who, being ruined by Cheatly, 
is made a decoy-duck for others, not daring to stir out of Alsatia, where he 
lives. Is bound with Cheatly for heirs, and lives upon them a dissolute, 
debauched life. 

“ Captain Hackum, a block-headed bully of Alsatia, a cowardly, impu- 
dent, blustering fellow, formerly a sergeant in Flanders, run from his col- 
ours, retreated into Whitefriars for a very small debt, where by the Alsa- 
tians he is dubb’d a captain, marries one that lets lodgings, sells cherry- 
brandy, and is a bawd. 

'' Scrapeall, a hypocritical, repeating, praying, psalm-singing, precise 
fellow, pretending to great piety ; a godly knave, who joins with Cheatly, 
and supplies young heirs with goods and money.” — Dramatis Personae to 
the Squire of Alsatia, Shadwell’s Works, vol. iv. 

Note 4. — David Ramsay, p. 34. 

David Ramsay, watchmaker and horologer to James I., was a real per- 
son, though the Author has taken the liberty of pressing him into the ser- 
vice of fiction. Although his profession led him to cultivate the exact 
sciences, like many at this period he mingled them with pursuits which 
were mystical and fantastic. The truth was, that the boundaries between 
truth and falsehood in mathematics, astronomy, and similar pursuits 
were not exactly known, and there existed a sort of terra incognita between 
them, in which the wisest men bewildered themselves. David Ramsay 
risked his money on the success of the vaticinations which his researches 
led him to form, since he sold clocks and watches under condition that 
their value should not become payable till King James was crowned in the 
Pope’s chair at Rome. Such wagers were common in that day, as may be 
seen by looking at Jonson’s Kverg 3Ian out of his Humour. 

David Ramsay was also an actor in another singular scene, in which the 
notorious astrologer Lilly was a performer, and had no small expectation 
on the occasion, since he brought with him a half-quartern sack to put the 
treasure in. 

David Ramsay, his Majesty’s clock-maker, had been informed that there 
was a great quantity of treasure buried in the cloister of Westminster 
Abbey. He acquaints Dean Williams therewith, who was also then Bishop 
of Lincoln. The dean gave him liberty to search after it, with this proviso, 


NOTES. 


527 


that if any was discovered, his church should have a share of it. David 
Ramsay finds out one John Scott, who pretended the use of the Mosaical 
rods,^ to assist him herein. I was desired to join with him, unto which I 
consented. One winter’s night, Davy Ramsay, with several gentlemen, 
myself, and Scott, entered the cloisters. We played the hazel rod round 
about the cloister. Upon the west side of the cloisters the rods turned one 
over another, an argument that the treasure was there. The labourers 
digged at least six foot deep, and then we met with a cofiSn ; but [which] , 
in regard it was not heavy, we did not open, which we afterwards much 
repented. 

From the cloisters we went into the abbey church, where, upon a sudden 
(there being no wind when we began), so fierce, so high, so blustering and 
loud a wind did rise, that we verily believed the west end of the church 
would have fallen upon us. Our rods would not move at all ; the candles 
and torches, all but one, were extinguished, or burned very dimly. John 
Scott, my partner, was amazed, looked pale, knew not what to think or do, 
until I gave directions and command to dismiss the daemons; which, 
when done, all was quiet again, and each man returned unto his lodging 
late, about twelve o’clock at night. I could never since be induced to join 
with any in such like actions. 

The true miscarriage of the business was by reason of so many people 
being present at the operation ; for there was above thirty, some laughing, 
others deriding us ; so that, if we had not dismissed the daemons, I believe 
most part of the abbey church had been blown down. Secrecy and intel- 
ligent operators, with a strong confidence and knowledge of what they are 
doing, are best for this work. — Lilly’s Life and Times, pp. 32, 33 [ed. 1715]. 

David Ramsay had a son called William Ramsay, who appears to have 
possessed all his father’s credulity. He became an astrologer, and in 1651- 
52 published Vox Stellarum, an Introduction to the Judgment of Eclipses and 
the Annual Revolutions of the World. The edition of 1652 is inscribed to his 
father. It would appear, as indeed it might be argued from his mode of 
disposing of his goods, that the old horologer had omitted to make hay 
while the sun shone ; for his son, in his dedication, had this exception to 
the paternal virtues, “It’s true your carelessness in laying up while the 
sun shone for the tempests of a stormy day hath given occasion to some 
inferior-spirited people not to value you according to what you are by na- 
ture and in yourself, for such look not to a man longer than he is in pros- 
perity, esteeming none but for their wealth, not wisdom, power, nor vir- 
tue.’’ From these expressions, it is to be apprehended that while old 
David Ramsay, a follower of the Stuarts, sunk under the Parliamentary 
government, his son, William, had advanced from being a dupe to astrol- 
ogy to the dignity of being himself a cheat. 

Note 5. — George Heriot, p. 58. 

This excellent person was but little known by his actions when alive, but 
we may well use. in this particular, the striking phrase of Scripture, “ that 
being dead he yet speaketh.” We have already mentioned, in the Intro- 
duction, the splendid charity of which he was the founder ; the few notices 
of his personal history are slight and meagre. 

George Heriot was born at Trabroun, in the parish of Gladsmuir ; he 
was the eldest son of a goldsmith in Edinburgh, descended from a family 
of some consequence in East Lothian. His father enjoyed the confidence 

^The same now called, I believe, -the divining-rod, and applied to the 
discovery of water not obvious to the eye. 


528 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


of his fellow-citizens, and w:as their representative in Parliament. He was, 
besides, one of the deputies sent by the inhabitants of the city to propitiate 
the King, when he had left Edinburgh abruptly, after the riot of 17th De- 
cember 1596. 

George Heriot, the son, pursued his father’s occupation of a goldsmith, 
then peculiarly lucrative, and much connected with that of a money- 
broker, He enjoyed the favor and protection of James, and of his consort, 
Anne of Denmark. He married, for his first wife, a maiden of his own 
rank named Christian Marjoribanks, daughter of a respectable burgess. 
This was in 1586. He was afterwards named jeweler to the Queen, whose 
account to him for a space of ten years amounted to nearly £40,000. 
George Heriot, having lost his wife, connected himself with the distin- 
guished house of Rosebery, by marrying a daughter of James Primrose, 
clerk to the privy council. Of this lady he was deprived by her dying in 
childbirth in 1612, before attaining her twenty-first year. After a life 
spent in honourable and successful industry, George Heriot died in Lon- 
don, to which city he had followed his royal master, on the 12th February 
1624, at the age of sixty-one years. His picture (copied by Scougall from 
a lost original), in which he is represented in the prime of life, is thus 
described ; “ His fair hair, that overshades the thoughtful brow and calm 
calculating eye, with the cast of humour on the lower part of the counte- 
nance, are all indicative of the genuine Scottish character, and well distin- 
guish a person fitted to move steadily and wisely through the world, with 
a strength of resolution to ensure success, and a disposition to enjoy it.” — 
Historical and Descriptive Account of Heriofs Hospital, with a Memoir of the 
Founder, by Messrs. James and John Johnstone. Edinburgh, 1827. 

I may add, as everything concerning George Heriot is interesting, that 
his second wife, Alison Primrose, was interred in St. Gregory’s church, 
from the register of which parish the Rev. Mr. Barham, rector, has, in the ' 
kindest manner, sent me the following extract: — ‘‘Mrs. Alison, the wife 
of Mr. George Heriot, gentleman, 20th April, 1612.” St. Gregory’s, before 
the Great Fire of London which consumed the cathedral, formed one of 
the towers of old St. Paul’s, and occupied the space of ground now filled 
by Queen Anne’s statue. In the south aisle of the choir Mrs. Heriot re- 
posed under a handsome monument, bearing the following inscription : — 

“ Sanctissimse et charissimae conjugi, Alison.® Heriot, Jacobi Prim- 
rosii, Regiae Majestatis in Sanctiori Concilio Regni Scotiae Amanuensis, 
filiae, feminae omnibus turn animi turn corporis dotibus ac pio cultu in- 
structissimae, moestissimus ipsius maritus Georgius Heriot, armiger, 
Regis, Reginae, Principum Henrici et Caroli Gemmarius, bene merenti, 
non sine lachrymis, hoc Monumentum pie posuit. 

‘‘Obiit Mensis Aprilis die 16, anno salut. mdcxii, aetatis 20, in ipso flore 
juventae, et mihi, parentibus, amicis tristissimum sui desiderium reliquit. 

Hie Alicis Primrosa 
Jacet crudo obruta fato, 

Intempestivas 
Ut rosa passa manus. 

Nondum bis denos 
Annorum impleverat orbes, 

Pulchra, pudica, 

Patris delicium atq : viri : 

Quum gravida, heu ! nunquam 


NOTES. 


529 


Mater, discessit, et inde 
Cura dolorq : patri, 

Cura dolorq : viro. 

Non sublata tamen, 

Tantum translata, recessit ; 

Nunc Rosa prima Poll 
Quse fuit ante soli.” 

The loss of a young, beautiful, and amiable partner at a period so inter- 
esting was the probable reason of her husband devoting his fortune to a 
charitable institution. The epitaph occurs in Strype’s edition of Stow’s 
Survey of London, Book iii. p. 228. 

Note 6.— Counterblast, p. 60. 

A Counterblast to Tobacco is included in the works of King James, Lond. 
1616, published by James (Montague), Bishop of Winchester. In the 
Bishop’s Latin translation of the King’s Works, Lond. 1619, the tract has 
this pedantic title, Misocapnus, sive de Abusu Tobacci, Lusus Regius {Laing). 

Note 7. — James’s Love of Flattery, p. 70. 

I am certain this prudential advice is not original on Mr. Linklater’s 
part, but 1 am not at present able to produce my authority. I think it 
amounted to this, that James flung down a petition presented by some 
supplicant who paid no compliments to his horse and expressed no ad- 
miration at the splendour of his furniture, saying, “ Shall a king cumber 
himself about the petition of a beggar, while the beggar disregards the 
king’s splendour?” It is, I think. Sir John Harrington who recom- 
mends. as a sure mode to the king’s favour, to praise the paces of the royal 
palfrey. 

Note 8. — Proclamation against the Scots, p. 72. 

The English agreed in nothing more unanimously than in censuring 
James on account of the beggarly rabble which not only attended the 
King ” at his coming first out of Scotland, but,” says Osborne, ‘‘ through 
his whole reign, like a fluent spring, were found still crossing the river of 
Tweed.” Yet it is certain, from the number of proclamations published 
by the privy council in Scotland, and bearing marks of the King’s own 
diction, that he was sensible of the whole inconveniences and unpopularity 
attending the importunate crowd of disrespectable suitors, and as desirous 
to get rid of them as his Southern subjects could be. But it was in vain 
that his Majesty argued with his Scottish subjects on the disrespect they 
were bringing on their native country and sovereign, by causing the Eng- 
lish to suppose there were no well-nurtured or independent gentry in Scot- 
land, they who presented themselves being, in the opinion and conceit of 
all beholders, ” but idle rascals, and poor miserable bodies.” It was even 
in vain that the vessels which brought, up this unwelcome cargo of peti- 
tioners were threatened with fine and confiscation : the undaunted suitors 
continued to press forward, and, as one of the proclamations says, many 
of them under pretence of requiring payment of “ auld debts due to them 
by the King,” which, it is observed with great naivete, “ is, of all kinds of 
importunity, most unpleasing to his Majesty.” The expressions in the 
text are selected from these curious proclamations. 

34 


630 


WAVERLE7 NOVELS. 


Note 9. — Gill’s Commentary, p. 91. 

A biblical commentary by Gill, which (if the Author’s memory serves 
him) occupies between five and six hundred printed quarto pages, and 
must therefore have filled more pages of manuscript than the number 
mentioned in the text, has this quatrain at the end of the volume — 

With one good pen I wrote this book, 

Made of a grey goose quill ; 

A pen it was when it I took. 

And a pen I leave it still. 

Note 10. — Whitehall, p. 92. 

Whitehall, originally the residence of the Archbishops of York, was, on 
the fall of Wolsey, appropriated by King Henry VIII., who employed 
Holbein to make several additions to the building. 

A disastrous fire, however, in 1691, and another six years later, consumed 
all but the banqueting-house ( Laing ) . 

Note 11. — King James, p. 95. 

The dress of this monarch, together with his personal appearance is 
thus described by a contemporary : — 

He was of a middle stature, more corpulent through \i.e. by means of] 
his clothes than in his body, yet fat enough. . . . His legs were very weak, 
having had, as was thought, some foul play in his youth, or rather be- 
fore he was born, that he was not able to stand at seven years of age. That 
weakness made him ever leaning on other men’s shoulders. His walk 
was ever circular ; his fingers ever in that walk fiddling about — [a part of 
dress now laid aside] .... He would make a great deal too bold with God 
in his passion, both in cursing and swearing, and on strain higher verging 
on blasphemy ; but would in his better temper say, he hoped God would 
not impute them as sins, and lay them to his charge, seeing they proceeded 
from passion. He had need of great assurance, rather than hopes, that 
would make daily so bold with God. — Dalzell’s Sketches of Scottish History, 
pp. 84-87. 

Note 12. — Sib Mungo Malagbowther, p. 117. 

It will perhaps be recognised by some of my countrymen, that the caus- 
tic Scottish knight, a described in chapter vi., borrowed some of his 
attributes from a most worthy and respectable baronet, who was to be met 
with in Edinburgh society about twenty-five or thirty years ago. It is not 
by any means to be inferred that the living person resembled the imagi- 
nary one in the course of life ascribed to him, or in his personal attibutes. 
But his fortune was little adequate to his rank and the antiquity of his 
family ; and to avenge himself of this disparity, the worthy baronet lost 
no opportunity of making the more avowed sons of fortune feel the edge 
of his satire. This he had the art of disguising under the personal infirm- 
ity of deafness, and usually introduced his most severe things by an 
affected mistake of what was said around him. For example, at a public 
meeting of a certain county, this worthy gentleman had chosen, to display 
a laced coat, of such a pattern as had not been seen in society for the bet- 
ter part of a century. The young men who were present amused them- 
selves with rallying him on his taste, when he suddenly singled out one of 


NOTES. 


531 


the party— “ Auld d’ye think my coat— auld-fashioned ? Indeed, it canna 
De new ; but it was the wark of a braw tailor, and that was your grand- 
father, who was at the head of the trade in Edinburgh about the beginning 
of last century.” Under another occasion, when this type of Sir Mungo 
Malagrowther happened to hear a nobleman, the high chief of one of those 
Border clans who were accused of paying very little attention in ancient 
times to the distinctions of meum and tuum, addressing a gentleman of the 
same name, as if conjecturing there should be some relationship between 
them, he volunteered to ascertain the nature of the connexion by saying, 
that the “ chiefs ancestors had stolen the cows, and the other gentleman’s 
ancestors had killed them,”— fame ascribing the origin of the latter family 
to a butcher. It may be well imagined that, among a people that have 
been always punctilious about genealogy, such a person, who had a gen- 
eral acquaintance with all the flaws and specks in the shields of the proud, 
the pretending, and the nouveaux riches^ must have had the same scope for 
amusement as a monkey in a china shop. 

Note 13.— Earl of Dalwolsey, p. 138. 

The head of the ancient and distinguished house of Ramsay, and to 
whom, as their chief, the individuals of that name look as their origin and 
source of gentry. Allan Ramsay, the pastoral poet, in the same manner, 
makes 

Dalhousie of an auld descent, 

My chief, my stoup, my ornament. 

Note 14. — Mrs. Anne Turner, p. 139. 

Mrs. Anne Turner was a dame somewhat of the occupation of Mrs. 
Suddlechop in the text — that is, half-milliner, half-procuress, and secret 
agent in all manner of proceedings. She was a trafficker in the poisoning 
of Sir Thomas Overbury, for which so many subordinate agents lost their 
lives, while, to the great scandal of justice, the Earl of Somerset and his 
countess were suffered to escape, upon a threat of Somerset to make public 
some secret which nearly affected his master. King James. Mrs. Turner 
introduced into England a French custom of using yellow starch in “ get- 
ting up” bands and cuffs, and, by Lord Coke’s orders, she appeared in 
that fashion at the place of execution. She was the widow of a physician, 
and had been eminently beautiful, as appears from the description of her 
in the poem called Overhury's Vision. There was produced in court a par- 
cel of dolls or puppets belonging to this lady, some naked, some dressed, 
and which she used for exhibiting fashions upon. But, greatly to the 
horror of the spectators, who accounted these figures to be magical devices, 
there was, on their being shown, ” heard a crack from the scaffolds, which 
caused great fear, tumult, and confusion among the spectators and 
throughout the hall, every one fearing hurt, as if the devil had been pres- 
ent, and grown angry to have his workmanship showed by such as were 
not his own scholars.” Compare this curious passage in the History of 
King James for the First Fourteen Years, 1651 [in vol. ii. p. 332 of Somers’s 
Tracts, ed. 1809], with the Anlicus Coquinarius of Dr. Heylin. The latter is 
published in the Secret History of the Court of James the First [vol. ii. ed. 
1811]. 


532 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Note 15.— Lord Huntinglen, p. 153. 

The credit of having rescued James I. from the dagger of Alexander 
Ruthven is here fictitiously ascribed to an imaginary Lord Huntinglen. 

,In reality, as may be read in every history, his preserver was John Ram- 
say, afterwards created Earl of Holderness, who stabbed the younger 
Ruthven with his dagger while he was struggling with the King. Sir 
Anthony Weldon informs us that, upon the annual return of the day, the 
King’s deliverance was commemorated by an anniversary feast. The time 
was the 5th of August, “upon which,” proceeds the satirical historian, 
“Sir John Ramsay, for his good service in that preservation, was the 
principal guest, and so did the King grant him any boon he would ask 
that day ; but had such limitations set to his asking as made his suit un- 
profitable unto him as that he asked it for was unserviceable to the King” 
{Court of King James, vol. ii. p. 321] . 

Note 16. — Buckingham, p. 158, 

Buckingham, who had a frankness in his high and irascible ambition, 
was always ready to bid defiance to those by whom he was thwarted or 
opposed. He aspired to be created Prince of Tipperary in Ireland, and 
Lord High Constable of England. Coventry, then Lord Keeper, opposed 
what seemed such an unreasonable extent of power as was annexed to the 
ofl&ce of constable. On this opposition, according to Sir Anthony Weldon, 
“,the Duke peremptorily accosted Coventry, ‘Who made you, Coventry, 
Lord Keeper?” He replied, “The King.” Buckingham sur-replied, 
“ It’s false ; ’twas I did make you, and you shall know that I, who made 
you, can, and will, unmake you.” Coventry thus answered him, “ Did 
I conceive I held my place by your favour, I would presently unmake 
myself by rendering the seal to his Majesty,” Then Buckingham, in a 
scorn and fury, flung from him, saying, “You shall not keep it long” ; 
and surely, had not Felton prevented him, he had made good his word.” 
— Weldon’s Court of King James and Charles [vol. ii. p. 32, ed. 1811]. 

Note 17. — Douglas Wars, p. 172. 

The cruel civil war waged by the Scottish barons during the minority 
of James VI. had this name from the figure made in them by the cele- 
brated James Douglas, Earl of Morton. Both sides executed their prisoners 
without mercy or favour. 

Note 18.— Pages, p. 180. 

About this time the ancient customs arising from the long prevalence of 
chivalry began to be grossly varied from the original purposes of the in- 
stitution, None was more remarkable than the change which took place 
in the breeding and occupation of pages. This peculiar species of menial 
originally consisted of youths of noble birth, who, that they might be 
trained to the exercise of arms^ were early removed from their paternal 
homes, where too much indulgence might have been expected, to be 
placed in the family of some prince or man of rank and military renown, 
where they served, as it were, an apprenticeship to the duties of chivalry 
and courtesy. Their education was severely moral, and pursued with 
great strictness in respect to useful exercises, and what were deemed ele- 
gant accomplishments. From being pages, they were advanced to the 


NOTES. 


533 


next gradation of squires ; from squires, these candidates for the honours 
of knighthood were frequently made knights. 

But in the 16th century the page had become, in many instances, a mere 
domestic, who sometimes, by the splendour of his address and appearance, 
was expected to make up in show for the absence of a whole band of re- 
tainers with swords and bucklers. We have Sir John’s authority when he 
cashiers part of his train. 

Falstaff will learn the humour of the age, 

French thrift, you rogues, myself and skirted page. 

Jonson, in a high tone of moral indignation, thus reprobated the change. 
The host of the New Inn replies to Lord Lovel, who ask to have his son for 
a page, that he would, with his own hands, hang him sooner 

Than damn him to that desperate course of life. 

Lovel. Call you that desperate, which, by a line 
Of institution, from our ancestors 
Hath been derived down to us, and received 
In a succession for the noblest way 
Of breeding up our youth, in letters, arms. 

Fair mien, discourses, civil exercise. 

And all the blazon of a gentleman ? 

Where can he learn to vault, to ride, to fence. 

To move his body gracefuller, to speak 
His language purer, or to tune his mind 
Or manners more to the harmony of nature. 

Than in these nurseries of nobility ? 

Host. Ay, that was when the nursery’s self was noble, 

And only virtue made it, not the market. 

That titles were not vended at the drum 
Or common outcry. Goodness gave the greatness. 

And greatness worship. Every house became 
An academy of honour, and those parts 
We see departed in the practice now 
Quite from the institution. 

Lovel. Why do you say so, 

Or think so enviously ? do they not still 
Learn there the Centaur’s skill, the art of Thrace, 

To ride? or Pollux’ mystery, to fence? 

The Pyrrhick gestures, both to dance and spring 
In armour, to be active for the wars ; 

To study figures, numbers, and proportions. 

May yield them great in counsels and the arts 
Grave Nestor and the wise Ulysses practised. 

To make their English sweet upon their tongue ? 

As reverend Chaucer says. 

Host. Sir, you mistake. 

To play Sir Pandarus, my copy hath it, 

And carry messages to Madam Cressid ; 

Instead of backing the brave steed o’ mornings. 

To [kiss] the chambermaid, and for a leap 
O’ the vaulting horse, to ply the vaulting-house ; 

For exercise of arms a bale of dice, 

Or two or three packs of cards to show the cheat 
And nimbleness of hand ; mis-take a cloak 
From my lord’s back, and pawn it ; ease his pockets 
Of a superfluous watch, or geld a jewel 
Of an odd stone or so ; twinge three or four buttons 


634 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


From oft my lady’s gown : — these are the arts, 

Or seven liberal deadly sciences, 

Of pagery, or rather paganism. 

As the tides run ; to which, if he apply him. 

He may, perhaps, take a degree at Tyburn 
A year the earlier, come to read a lecture 
Upon Aquinas at St. Thomas-a-Watering’s, 

And so go forth a laureate in hemp circle. 

The New Inn, Act i. sc. 1. 

Note 19.— Lord Henry Howard, p. 182. 

Lord Henry Howard was the second son of the poetical Earl of Surrey, 
and possessed considerable parts and learning. He wrote, in the year 
1583, a book called A Defensative {Preservative] against the Poison of Supposed 
Prophecies. He gained the favour of Queen Elizabeth, by having, he says, 
directed his battery against a sect of prophets and pretended soothsayers, 
whom he accounted infesti regibus, as he expresses it. In the last years 
of the Queen, he became James’s most ardent partizan, and conducted 
with great pedantry, but much intrigue, the correspondence betwixt the 
Scottish king and the younger Cecil. Upon James’s accession, he was 
created Earl of Northampton and Lord Privy Seal. According to De 
Beaumont, the French ambassador. Lord Henry Howard was one of the 
greatest flatterers and calumniators that ever lived. 

Note 20. — Skirmishes in the Public Streets, p. 183. 

Edinburgh appears to have been one of the most disorderly towns in 
Europe during the 16th and beginning of the 17th century. The Diary of 
the honest citizen Birrell repeatedly records such incidents as the follow- 
ing : “The 24 of November [1567], at two afternoon, the Laird of Airth 
and the Laird of Weems met on the High Gate of Edinburgh, and they 
and their followers fought a very bloody skirmish, where there were many 
hurt on both sides with shot of pistol.” These skirmishes also took place in 
London itself. In Shad well’s play of The Scowrers, an old rake tlius boasts 
of his early exploits : “I knew the Hectors, and before them the Muns, 
and the Tityretu’s ; they were brave fellows indeed ! In those days a man 
could not go from the Rose Tavern to the Piazza once, but he must ven- 
ture his life twice, my dear Sir Willy ’ [Act i. sc. 1]. But it appears that 
the affrays, which in the Scottish capital arose out of hereditary quarrels 
and ancient feuds, were in London the growth of the licentiouspess and 
arrogance of young debauchees. 

Note 21. — French Cookery, p. 192. 

The exertion of French ingenuity mentioned in the text is noticed by 
some authorities of the period ; the siege of Leith was also distinguished 
by the protracted obstinacy of the besieged, in which was displayed all 
that the age possessed of defensive war, so that Brantome records that 
those who witnessed this siege had, from that very circumstance, a de- 
gree of consequence yielded to their persons and opinions. He tells a 
story of Strozzi himself, from which it appears that his jests lay a good 
deal in the line of the cuuine. He caused a mule to be stolen from one 
Brusquet, on whom he wished to play a trick, and served up the flesh of 
that unclean animal so well disguised that it passed with Brusquet for 
venison. 


NOTES. 


636 


Note 22. — Cuckoo’s Nest, p. 193. 

The quarrel in chapter xii. between the pretended captain and the citi- 
zen of London is taken from a burlesque poem called The Counter Scuffle, 
that is, the scuffle in the prison at Wood Street, so called. It is a piece of 
low humour, which had at the time very considerable vogue. The pris- 
oners, it seems, had fallen into a dispute amongst themselves “which 
calling was of most repute,” and a lawyer put in his claim to be most 
highly considered. The man of war repelled his pretence with much 
arrogance. 

“ Wer’.t not for us, thou swad,” quoth he, 

“ Where wouldst thou fog to get a fee? 

But to defend such things as thee 

’Tis pity ; 

For such as you esteem us least. 

Who ever have been ready prest 
To guard you and your cuckoo’s nest. 

Your city.” 

The offence is no sooner given than it is caught up by a gallant citizen, a 
goldsmith, named Ellis. 

: : * “Of London city I am free, 

And there I first my wife did see, 

' And for that very cause,” quoth he, . 

■ ' “I love it. 

And he that calls it cuckoo’s nest, 

■ Except he says he speaks in jest, 

He is a villain and a beast,— 

I’ll prove it. 

“ For though I am a man of trade. 

And free of London city made. 

Yet can I use gun, bill, and blade. 

In battle. 

And citizens, if need require. 

Themselves can force the foe retire. 

Whatever this Low Country squire 

May prattle.” 

The dispute terminates in the scuffle, which is the subject of the poem. 
The whole may be found in the second edition of Dryden’s Miscellany, 
12mo, vol. iii. 1716. 

Note 23. — Burbage, p. 200. 

Burbage, whom Camden terms another Roscius, was probably the origi- 
nal representative of Richard III., and seem to have been early almost 
identified with his prototype. Bishop Corbet, in his Iter Boreale, tells us 
that mine host of Market Bosworth was full of ale and history. 

Hear him, “ See you yon wood ? There Richard lay 
With his whole army. Look the other way. 

And lo, where Richmond, in a bed of gorse, 

Encamp’d himself o’er-night and all his force. 

Upon this hill they met.” Why, he could tell .. 

The inch where Richmond stood, where Richard fell; 

Besides, what of his knowledge he could say. 

He had authentic notice from the play. 


536 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Which I might guess by’s mustering up the ghosts 
And policies not incident to hosts ; 

But chiefly byjthat one perspicuous thing, 

Where he mistook a player for a king, 

For when he would have said, “ King Richard died. 

And call’d, a horse ! a horse ! ” he “ Burbage ” cried. 

Richard Corbet’s Poems, Edition 1815, p. 193. 

Note 24. — Men of Wit and Talent, p. 202. 

The condition of men of wit and talents was never more melancholy 
than about this period. Their lives were so irregular, and their means of 
living so precarious, that they were alternately rioting in debauchery or 
encountering and struggling with the meanest necessities. Two or three 
lost their lives by a surfeit brought on by that fatal banquet of Rhenish 
wine and pickled herrings, which is familiar to those who study the 
lighter literature of that age. The whole history is a most melancholy 
picture of genius degraded at once by its own debaucheries and the pat- 
ronage of heartless rakes and profligates. 

Note 25. — Ducal Register of Alsatia, p. 256. 

This curious register is still in existence, being in possession of that emi- 
nent antiquary Dr. Dryasdust, who liberally offered the Author permis- 
sion to have the autograph of Duke Hildebrod engraved as an illustration 
of this passage. Unhappily, being rigorous as Ritson himself in adhering 
to the very letter of his copy, the worthy doctor clogged his munificence 
with the condition that we should adopt the duke’s orthography, and en- 
title the work The Fortunes of Niggle, with which stipulation we did not 
think it necessary to comply. 

Note 26. — Earl of Bothwell, p. 285. 

Among the original documents preserved among the archives of the 
hospital, there are various precepts or receipts signed by Francis (Stewart) 
Earl of Bothwell, but only one of them dated, 1594, which show that 
George Heriot and he had many transactions. In that year Bothwell 
broke out in rebellion, and, abandoned by Queen Elizabeth, excommuni- 
cated by the church, and deserted by his followers, he was obliged to fly 
for safety to France, and thence to Spain, where he renounced the Protes- 
tant faith, and lived for many years in obscurity and immorality. Sir 
Walter Scott of Buccleuch, his stepson, succeeded to his large estates, 
which had been conveyed to him by the earl before his treasonable at- 
tempts and forfeiture (Laing). 

Note 27. — The Skimmington, p, 303. 

A species of triumphal procession in honour of female supremacy, when 
it rose to such a height as to attract the attention of the neighbourhood. 
It is described at full length in Hudihras (Part II. Canto ii.). As the pro- 
cession passed on, those who attended it in an official capacity were wont 
to sweep the threshold of the houses in which fame affirmed the mistresses 
to exercise paramount authority, which was given and received as a hint 
that their inmates might, in their turn, be made the subject of a similar 
ovation. The Skimmington, which in some degree resembled the proceed- 


NOTES. 


537 


ings of Miimbo Jumbo in an African village, has been long discontinued 
in England, apparently because female rule has become either milder or 
less frequent than among our ancestors. 

Note 28. — The Marshalsea, p. 324. 

This penitentiary was under the control of the Royal Knight Marshal, 
whose jurisdiction extended twelve miles round Whitehall, the city of 
London excepted. It stood near St. George’s church in the feorough 
(Laing). 

Note 29. — “God’s Revenge against Murder,’’ p. 348. 

Only three copies are known to exist ; one in the library atKennaquhair, 
and two — one foxed and cropped, the other tall and in good condition — 
both in the possession of an eminent member of the Roxburghe Club. — 
Note by Captain Clutterbuck. — 

The work here referred to. The Triumphs of God's Revenge against Mur- 
der, expressed in Thirty Tragicall Histories, by John Reynolds, passed through 
several editions between 1622 and 1763, besides abridgments. Its precur- 
sor, The Theatre of God's Judgements, by Thomas Beard, first appeared in 
1597, 4to, and is remarkable in containing “An Account of Christopher 
Marlowe and his Tragical End.’’ It reached a fourth and enlarged edi- 
tion in 1648 {Laing). 

Note 30. — Scots’ Dislike to Pork, p. 384. 

The Scots, till within the last generation, disliked swine’s flesh as an 
article of food as much as the Highlanders do at present. It was remarked 
as extraordinary rapacity, when the Border depredators condescended to 
make prey of the accursed race whom the fiend made his habitation. 
Ben Jonson, in drawing James’s character, says, he loved “ no part of a 
swine.’’ [See also Waverley, Note 22.] 

Note 31.— Mhic-Allastar-More, p. 395. 

This is the Highland patronymic of the late gallant Chief of Glengarry. 
The allusion in the text is to an unnecessary alarm taken by some lady at 
the ceremonial of the coronation of George IV., at the sight of pistols 
which the chief wore as a part of his Highland dress. The circumstance 
produced some confusion, which was talked of at the time. All who knew 
Glengarry, and the Author knew him well, were aware that his principles 
were of devoted loyalty to the person of his sovereign. 

Note 32. — King James’s Hunting-Bottle, p. 396. 

Roger Coke, in his Detection of the Court and State of England, London, 
1694, vol. i. p. 70, observes of James I.: 

The King was excessively addicted to hunting and drinking, not ordi- 
nary French and Spanish wines, but strong Greek wines, and though he 
would divide his hunting from drinking these wines, yet he would com- 
pound his hunting with drinking these wines and to that purpose, he 
was attended with a special officer, who was, as much as could be, always 
at hand to fill the King’s cup in his hunting when he called for it. I have 
heard my father say that, being hunting with the King, after the King 
had drank of the wine, he also drank of it ; and though he was youn^, 
and of a healthy constitution, it so disordered his head that it spoiled his 


538 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


pleasure and disordered him for three days after. Whether it were the 
drinking these wines, or from some other cause, the King became so lazy 
and unwieldy that he was treist [trussed] on horseback, and as he was 
set, so would he ride, without otherwise poising himself on his saddle ; 
nay, when his hat was set on his head, he would not take the pains to alter 
it, but it sate as it was put on. 

The trussing, for which the demi-pique saddle of the day afforded par- 
ticular facility, is alluded to in the text ; and the Author, among other 
nicknacks of antiquity, possesses a leathern flask, like those carried 
by sportsmen, which is labelled “ King James’s Hunting-Bottle,” with 
what authenticity is uncertain. Coke seems to have exaggerated the 
King’s taste for the bottle. Weldon says James was not intemperate in 
his drinking : 

However, in his old age, Buckingham’s jovial suppers, when he had any 
turn to do with him, made him sometimes overtaken, which he would the 
very next day remember, and repent with tears. It is true, he drank very 
often, which was rather out of a custom than any delight ; and his drinks 
were of that kind for strength, as Frontiniack, Canary, high country wine, 
tent wine, and Scottish ale, that had he not had a very strong brain, 
might have been daily overtaken, although he seldom drank at any one 
time above four spoonfuls, many times not above one or ivfo.— Secret His- 
tory of King James, vol. ii. p. 3. Edin. 1811. 

Note 33. — Scene in Greenwich Park, p.398. 

I cannot here omit mentioning, that a painting of the old school is in 
existence, having a remarkable resemblance to the scene described in chap- 
ter xxvii., although it be nevertheless true that the similarity is in all 
respects casual, and that the Author knew not of the existence of the 
painting till it was sold, amongst others, with the following description 
attached to it in a well-drawn-up catalogue ; — 

Frederigo Zucchero. 

Scene as represented in the Fortunes of Nigel, by Frederigo Zucchero, the 

King’s painter. 

This extraordinary picture, which, independent of its pictorial merit, 
has been esteemed a great literary curiosity, represents most faithfully the 
meeting in Greenwich Park, between King James and Nigel Oliphaunt, as 
described in the Fortunes of Nigel, showing that the Author must have 
taken the anecdote from authenticated facts. In the centre of the picture, 
sits King James on horseback, very erect and stiffly. Between the King 
and Prince Charles, who is on the left of the picture, the Duke of Buck- 
ingham is represented riding a black horse, and pointing eagerly towards 
the culprit, Nigel Oliphaunt, who is standing on the right side of the 
picture. He grasps with his right hand a gun, or cross-bow, and looks 
angrily towards the King, who seems somewhat confused and alarmed. 
Behind Nigel, his servant is restraining two dogs which are barking 
fiercely. Nigel and his servant are both clothed in red, the livery of 
the Oliphaunt family, in which to this day the town officers of Perth 
are clothed, there being an old charter granting to the Oliphaunt family 
the privilege of dressing fhe public officers of Perth in their livery. The 
Duke of Buckingham is in all respects equal in magnificence of dress to 
the King or the Prince. The only difference that is marked between him 
and royalty is, that his head is uncovered. Tlie King and Prince wear 
their hats. In Lucy Atkin’s Memoirs of the Reign \^Court] of King James 


NOTES. 


539 


will be found a letter from Sir Thomas Howard to Lord J. Harrington, in 
which he recommends the latter to come to court, mentioning that his 
Majesty has spoken favourably of him. He then proceeds to give him some 
advice by which he is likely to find favour in the King’s eyes. He tells 
him to wear a bushy ruff, well starched ; and after various other directions 
as to his dress, he concludes, “ but, above all things, fail not to praise the 
roan jennet whereon the King doth daily ride.” In this picture King 
James is represented on the identical roan jennet. In the background of 
the picture are seen two or three suspicious-looking figures, as if watching 
the success of some plot. These may have been put in by the painter to 
flatter the King, by making it be supposed that he actually escaped, or 
successfully combated, some serious plot. The King is attended by a 
numerous band of courtiers and attendants, all of whom seem moving for- 
ward to arrest the defaulter. The painting of this picture is extremely 
good, but the drawing is very Gothic, and there Is no attempt at the keep- 
ing of perspective. The picture is very dark and obscure, which consider- 
ably adds to the interest of the scene. 

Note 34. — King James’s Timidity, p. 398. 

The fears of James for his personal safety were often excited without 
serious grounds. On one occasion, having been induced to visit a coal-pit 
on' the coast of Fife, he was conducted a little way under the sea, and 
brought to daylight again on a small island, or what was such at full tide, 
down which a shaft had been sunk. James, who conceived his life or 
liberty aimed at, when he found himself on an islet surrounded by the 
sea, instead of admiring, as his cicerone hoped, the unexpected change of 
scene, cried “Treason” with all his might, and could not be pacified till 
he was rowed ashore. At Lockmaben he took an equally causeless alarm 
from a still slighter circumstance. Some vendisses, a fish peculiar to the 
loch, were presented to the royal table as a delicacy ; but the King, who 
was not familiar with their appearance, concluded they were poisoned, 
and broke up the banquet “ with most admired disorder.” 

Note 35.— Traitor’s Gate, p. 401. 

Traitor’s Gate, which opens from the Tower of liondon to the Thames, 
was, as its name implies, that by which persons accused of the state 
offences were conveyed to their prison. When the tide is making, and 
the ancient gate is beheld from within the buildings, it used to be a most 
striking part of the old fortress ; but it is now much injured in appearance, 
being half built up with masonry to support a steam-engine, or something 
of that sort. 

Note 36. — Memorials of Illustrious Criminals, p. 403. 

These memorials of illustrious criminals, or of innocent persons who 
had the fate of such, are still preserved, though at one time, in the course 
of repairing the rooms, they were in some danger of being whitewashed. 
They are preserved at present with becoming respect, and have most of 
them been engraved. See Bay ley’s History and Antiquities of the Tower of 
London. 

Note 37.— James I.’s Dislike to Arms, p. 437. 

Wilson informs us that when Colonel Grey, a Scotsman who affected the 
buff dress even in the time of peace, appeared in that military garb at 
court, the King, seeing him with a case of pistols at his girdle, which he 


540 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


never greatly liked, told him, merrily, “He was now so fortified that, if 
he were but well victualled, he would be impregnable ” (Wilson's Life and 
Reign of James VI., apud Rennet’s History of England, vol. ii. p. 789). In 
1612, the tenth year of James’s reign, there was a rumour abroad that a 
shipload of pocket-pistols had been exported from Spain, with a view to 
a genera] massacre of the Protestants. Proclamations were of consequence 
sent forth prohibiting all persons from carrying pistols under a foot long 
in the barrel {Ihid. p, 690). 

Note 38. — Punishment of Stubbs by Mutilation, p. 438. 

This execution, which so captivated the imagination of Sir Mungo Mala- 
growther, was really a striking one. The criminal, a furious and bigoted 
Puritan, had published a book ^ in very violent terms against the match 
of Elizabeth with the Duke of Alengon, which he termed an union of a 
daughter of God with a son of Anti-christ. Queen Elizabeth was greatly 
incensed at the freedom assumed in this work, and caused the author 
Stubbs, with Page the publisher, and one Singleton the printer, to be tried 
on an Act passed by Philip and Mary against the writers and dispersers of 
seditious publications. They were convicted, and although there was an 
opinion strongly entertained by lawyers, that the act was only temporary, 
and expired with Queen Mary, Stubbs and Page received sentence to have 
their right hands struck off. They accordingly suffered the punishment, 
the wrist being divided by a cleaver driven through the joint by force of a 
mallet. The printer was pardoned. “I remember,” says the historian 
Camden, “being then present, that Stubbs, when his right hand was cut 
off, plucked off his hat with the left, and said, with a loud voice, “God 
save the Queen ! ” The multitude standing about was deeply silent, either 
out of horror of this new and unwonted kind of punishment, or out of 
commiseration towards the man, as being of an honest and unblamable' 
repute, or else out of hatred to the marriage, which most men presaged 
would be the overthrow of religion.” — Camden’s Annals for theYear 1581. 

Note 39. — Assassination of James I. of Scotland, p. 443. 

James I. of Scotland was barbarously murdered at Perth, on the 20th 
February, 1437. Several of the ladies were hurt, and according to most of 
our historians, Catherine Douglas, one of the Queen’s attendants, had her 
arm broken, by thrusting it into the staple in place of a bolt ( Laing ) . 

Note 40. — Richie Moniplies behind the Arras, p. 455. 

The practical jest of Richie Moniplies going behind the arras to get an 
opportunity of teasing Heriot was a pleasantry such as James might be 
supposed to approve of. It was customary for those who knew his humour 
to contrive jests of this kind for his amusement. The celebrated Archie 
Armstrong, and another jester called Drummond, mounted on other peo- 
ple’s backs, used to charge each other like knights in a tilt-yard, to the 
inonarch’s great amusement. The following is an instance of the same 
kind, taken from Webster, Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft (p. 124). The 
author is speaking of the faculty called ventriloquism. 

^ The Discoverie of a Gaping Oulph, wherein England is like to he swallowed 
by another French Marriage, if the Lord forbid not the Banes, by letting her 
Majestie see the Sin and Punishment thereof (1579) . 


NOTES. 


541 


But to make this more plain and certain, we shall add a story of a not- 
able impostor, or ventriloquist, from the testimony of Mr. Ady, which we 
have had confirmed from the mouth of some courtiers, that both saw and 
knew him, and is this : — It hath been, said he, credibly reported, that there 
was a man in the court in King James his days that could act this impos- 
ture so lively, that he could call the King by name, and cause the King to 
look round about him, wondering who it was that called him, whereas he 
that called him stood before him in his presence, with his face towards 
him. But after this imposture was known, the King, in his merriment, 
would sometimes take occasional by this impostor to make sport upon 
some of his courtiers, as, for instance : 

There was a knight belonging to the court, whom the King caused 
to come before him in his private room, where no man was but the King 
and this knight and the impostor, and feigned some occasion of serious 
discourse with the knight ; but when the King began to speak, and the 
knight bending his attention to the King, suddenly there came a voice as 
out of another room, calling the knight by name, “Sir John — Sir John; 
come away. Sir John” ; at which the King [knight] began to frown that 
any man should be so iinmannerly as to molest the King and him ; and 
still listening to the King’s discourse, the voice came again, “Sir John 
— Sir John, come away and drink off your sack.” At that Sir John began 
to swell with anger, and looked into the next rooms to see who it was that 
dared to call him so importunately, and could not find out who it was, 
and having chid with whomsoever he found, he returned again to the 
King. The King had no sooner begun to speak as formerly, but the voice 
came again, “ Sir John, come away, your sack stayeth for you.” At that 
Sir John began to stamp with madness, and looked out and returned sev- 
eral times to the King, but could not be quiet in his discourse with the 
King, because of the voice that so often troubled him, till the King had 
sported enough. 

Note 41. — Leglin-girth, p. 465. 

A leglin-girth is the lowest hoop upon a leglin, or milk-pail. Allan Ram- 
say applies the phrase in the same metaphorical sense. 

Or bairns can read, they first maun spell, 

I learn’d this frae my mammy, 

And cast a leglin-girth mysell 
Lang ere I married Tammy. 

Christ's Kirk on the Qreen. 

Note 42. — Lady Lake, p. 475. 

Whether out of a meddling propensity common to all who have a gossip- 
ing disposition, or from the love of justice, which ought to make part of a 
prince’s character, James was very fond of inquiring personally into the 
causes cMehres which occurred during his reign. In the imposture of the 
Boy of Bilson, who pretended to be possessed, and of one Richard Hay- 
dock, a poor scholar, who pretended to preach during his sleep, the King, 
to use the historian Wilson’s expression, took delight in sounding with the 
line of his understanding the depth of these brutish impositions, and in 
doing so showed the acuteness with which he was endowed by -nature. 
Lady Lake’s story consisted in a clamorous complaint against the Count- 
ess of Exeter, whom she accused of a purpose to put to death Lady Lake 
herself, and her daughter. Lady Ross, the wife of the countess’s own son- 
in-law, Lord Ross ; and a forged letter was produced, in which Lady Ex- 
eter was made to acknowledge such a purpose. The account given of the 
occasion of obtaining this letter was, that it had been written by the 


542 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


countess at Wimbledon, in presence of Lady Lake and her daughter, Lady 
Ross, being designed to procure their forgiveness for her mischievous in- 
tention. The King remained still unsatisfied, the writing, in his opinion, 
bearing strong marks of forgery. Lady Lake and her daughter then al- 
leged that, besides their own attestation and that of a confidential domes- 
tic, named Diego, in whose presence Lady Exeter had written the confes- 
sion, their story might also be supported by the oath of their waiting-maid, 
Sarah Swarton or Wharton, who had been placed behind the hangings at 
the time the letter was written, and heard the Countess of Exeter read over 
the confession after she had signed it. Determined to be at the bottom of 
this accusation, James, while hunting one day near Wimbledon, the scene 
of the alleged confession, suddenly left his sport, and, galloping hastily to 
Wimbledon, in order to examine personally the room, discovered, from 
the size of the apartment, that the alleged conversation could not have 
taken place in the manner sworn to ; and that the tapestry of the chamber, 
which had remained in the same state for thirty years, was too short by 
two feet, and, therefore, could not have concealed any one behind it. This 
matter was accounted an exclusive discovery of the King by his own spirit 
of shrewd investigation. The parties were punished in the Star Chamber 
by fine and imprisonment. 

Note 43. — Military Training of Londoners, p. 496, 

Clarendon remarks that the importance of the military exercise of the 
citizens was severely felt by the Cavaliers during the Civil War, notwith- 
standing the ridicule that had been showered upon it by the dramatic 
poets of the day. Nothing less than habitual practice could, at the battle 
of Newbury and elsewhere, have enabled the Londoners to keep their ranks 
as pikemen, in spite of the repeated charge of the fiery Prince Rupert and 
his gallant Cavaliers. 

Note 44. — Penny- Wedding, p. 516. 

The penny-wedding of the Scots, now disused even among the lowest 
ranks, was a peculiar species of merry-making, at which, if the wedded 
pair were popular, the guests who convened contributed considerable sums 
under pretence of paying for the bridal festivity, but in reality to set the 
married folk afloat in the world. [See Burt’s Letters from the North of Scot- 
land, Letter xi.] 


GLOSSARY 


OF 

WOKDS, PHRASES, AND ALLUSIONS. 


“ A BASTARD TO THE TIME,” etC. (p. 

199), from King John, Act i. sc. i. 
Abye, suffer for 

Accidens, rudiments of grammar 
Accompt, compt, account 
Adolescens, etc. (p. 150), a youth 
of a comely countenance and be- 
coming modesty 

“ ^TAS PARENTUM,” etC. (p. 466), 
the age of our parents, worse than 
that of our ancestors, has brought 
us forth worse than them 
Ah, ha! tres honors, etc. (p. 190), 
Oh yes, greatly honoured. I re- 
member — yes. I used to know a 
Lord Glenvarloch in Scotland 
. . . my lord’s father presumably? 
... he was much better player 
than I was. How clever he was 
at the back-handed strokes I 
Aiqre, tart, sour 
Ain, own ; ain gate, own way 
Airt, direction, instruction 
Althea, gave birth to Meleager* 
when the boy was seven days old 
the Fates declared that he would 
die as soon as a firebrand then 
burning on the hearth should be 
burnt away. To prevent this, his 
mother put out the firebrand and 
kept it hidden in a chest 
Alumnus, pupil 

Amadis and Oriana, the hero and 
heroine of the romance of chiv- 
alry, Amadis of Gaul 
Amaist, almost 

Andiamos, or andemos, let’s to 
work 

Andrew, or Andrea, Ferrara, a 
Scottish broadsword 
Ane, one 


Anent, opposite to 
A New Way to Pay Old Debts, 
the title of a comedy by Philip 
Massinger (1633) 

Angel, a gold coin = about 10s. 
Anguis in herba, a snake in the 
grass, something in the back- 
ground 

Another-guess, another sort of 
A-peak, said of an anchor when the 
ship rides immediately over it 
with a taut cable 

Appellatio ad CiESAREM, an appeal 
to Caesar 

Appened, happened 
Apud Metamorphoseos, in the Meta- 
morphoses, a work by the Roman 
poet Ovid 

Aqua mirabilis, wonderful water, 
a cordial made of spirit of wine 
and spices 

Arcana imperii, etc. (p. 467), im- 
perial secrets ; he who knows not 
how to dissemble knows not how 
to govern 

Archie Armstrong, court jester or 
fool to James I. of England 
“Arripiens geminas,” etc. (p. 178), 
seizing them twain as the banks 
receded away 

Asinus fortis, etc. (p. 400), a 
strong ass couching down between 
the sheepfolds 

Association of gentlemen men- 
tioned BY Goldsmith (p. 29). 
See his Essays, No. ix., Speci- 
men of a Magazine in Miniature ” 
Atomy, a skeleton 
Aught, to owe : eight 
Auld, old ; Auld Reekie, Edin- 
burgh 


543 


544 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Avised, advised ; avisement, advice 
Awes, owes 
Awmous, alms, gift 
Axylus, a treeless, waterless region 
in the middle of Asia Minor 

Babington, Anthony, executed in 
1586, at the age of twenty-five, for 
conspiring the murder of Eliza- 
beth and the liberation of Mary 
Queen of Scots 

Back-sword, a sword with one 
sharp edge 

Balas ruby, a rose-red variety of 
ruby 

Bale of dice, a set of dice, usually 
three 

Balloon, a game in which a large 
inflated ball, covered with stout 
leather, was struck to and fro by 
the arm 

Bandello, Mathieu, an Italian 
novelist (1480-1562), author of 
famous Novelle or short tales 
Bankside, the southern bank of 
the Thames, between Southvrark 
and Blackfriars Bridges, where 
were the Globe and other thea- 
tres, also Paris Garden {q.v.) 
Barford’s, or Bearford’s, Park, 
now George Street, Edinburgh 
Barns-breaking, frolic, escapade 
Barns, or Barnes, Elms, a hamlet 
of Surrey, close to London 
Basilicon Doron, a work written 
(1598) by King James as a guide 
for his eldest son Henry, when he 
should succeed himself as king 
Basta, enough ! there ! 

Bastard, a sw’^eet Spanish wine, re- 
sembling Muscadel 
Bawbee, halfpenny 
Baxter, baker 

Bayes, a name given to Dryden in 
the second Duke of Bucking- 
ham’s farce. The Rehearsal (1672) 
Bear-bannock, a cake of barley- 
meal 

Bears, are you there with your, 
are you harping on that string 
again? See further Glossary to 
The Abbot 

Beati pacifici, blessed are the 
peacemakers 

Beccafico, a small bird of the war- 
bler species, esteemed a delicacy 
for the table 
Becking, curtsying 
Bein, well-to-do 


Bel and the Dragon. See the 
Apocryphal book with that title 
Belive, by and by 
Bellicosissimus nobilissimus, most 
warlike, most noble 
Ben, stout old, Ben Jonson, the 
poet and dramatist 
Benevolence, a forced loan or con- 
tribution illegally levied by the 
kings of England 

Ben Jonson on James I. (p. 537). 
The phrase occurs in the masque 
entitled The Metamorphosed Gipsies 
Bennaskar. See Jeweller of Delhi 
“Bestrew’d all with rich 
ARRAY,” etc. (p. 30), from 

Faerie Queene, Bk. III. canto iv. 
St. 18 

Bicker, a bowl for liquor, usually 
of wood 

Bide, to remain, continue ; keep ; 
wait 

Bieldy, sheltered 

Biennium, dicis, etc. (p. 150), Two 
years, do you say? well, well, it 
was very well done. Not in a 
day, as they say — understand you. 
Lord of Glenvarloch ? 

Biggin, a linen cap for a young 
child 

Bigging, building 
Bilbo, or bilboe, a Bilboa (Span- 
ish) sword 

Billies, boon companions 
Bilson, boy of, an account of his 
imposture will be found in Ken- 
net’s History of England, vol. ii. 
pp. 709, 710 

Bing avast, stop, stay, hold ; bing 
OFF, go away, off 

Birkie, a smart young fellow, a 
mettlesome blade 

Black, David, of North Leith, a 
zealous and distinguished Presby- 
terian in the reign of James VI. 
Black Bull, meant for Red Bull, 
a theatre in St. John’s Street, 
Smithfield ; or possibly for the 
Bull {q.v.) 

Blackfoot, a match-maker, go- 
between 

Blackmore, Sir Richard, a dull 
poet satirised by Dryden, Steele, 
Dennis, and other writers of that 
period 

Black ox tread on your foot, to 
‘know what sorrow or adversity is 
Black ward tenure, the condition 
of servitude to a servant 


GLOSSARY. 


646 


Elate, bashful 
Bletheking, jabbering 
Blowselinda, or Blouzelinda, an 
ignorant, frolicsome country 
wench in Gay’s Shepherd's Week, 
intended to ridicule the pastoral 
Delias, Chlorises, and the like 
Blue-banders, royal guards or at- 
tendants 

Boddle, a Scotch copper coin, 
worth ^th penny English 
Bode, what is bidden, an offer 
Bona-roba, a showy wanton 
Bos IN Linguam, more correctly, 
BOS IN LINGUA, literally “an ox 
on the tongue,” hence a bribe. 
The phrase was current in ancient 
Athens, which had coins bearing 
the figure of an ox ( 60 s) on one 
side 

Bow-hand, left hand, the wrong side 
Braid Lowlands, in plain broad 
Scotch 

Braw, well-dressed, handsome 
Brewis, the scum that rises to the 
top of w^ater in which meat is 
being boiled 

Bristles, dice in which bristles 
were fixed, so as to bias them 
Broche, a spit 

Brose, oatmeal over which boiling 
water has been poured 
Brown baker, a baker of brown 
bread 

Brownie, a benevolent spirit, sup- 
posed to haunt old houses 
Buchanan, George, tutor to James 

I. 

Bucket (them out of) , diddle, cheat 
Bucking-basket, basket for carry- 
ing linen in, to be washed and 
bleached by an old process called 
“ bucking” 

JiucKLE-BEGGAR. See Hedge-parsoii 
Bull, a theatre in Bishopsgate 
Street, where Burbage acted 
Bum-bailey, an under-bailiff 
Bunemost, uppermost 
Bureows-town, or borrows-toun, a 
royal borough 
Buss, to kiss 

Ca, call ; move 
Cadger, packman, huckster 
Caduca, or rather Cadua, an allu- 
sion to Dryden’s play. The Wild 
Gallant, Act i. sc. 2 
Calf-ward, place where calves are 
kept 


Call an’ , callant, a lad 
Campsie Linn, a cataract in the 
river Tay in Perthshire 
Campvere, a seaport on the island 
of Walcheren, Holland, where 
from 1444 to 1795 the Scots enjoyed 
special trading privileges. The 
merchants were under Scottish 
law, administered by the Lord 
Conservator 

Canny, cautious, prudent; cannily, 
skilfully, knowingly 
Cantabit vacuus, being free from 
care he will sing 
Cantle, crown of the head 
Capias, writ of, a writ for arresting 
a person 

Capin, capon, goose 
Caracco, you decrepit old scamp, a 
Spanish exclamation 
Carcanet, a necklace, chain 
Carle, fellow 

Carle-hemp, the female hemp, 
which, because it was the stronger, 
was long erroneously believed to 
be the male (carle) 

Carnifex, executioner ; carnifi- 
ciAL, making flesh, killing 
Caroche, a 17th century carriage 
Carry coals, not suffer an injury 
unavenged 

Carwitchet, or carriwichet, a pun, 
puzzling question 

Cast doublets, play at doublets, a 
anie with dice somewhat like 
ackgammon 
Catalani, Angelica, a great Italian 
singer of the beginning of the 19th 
century 

Catchpoll, sherifi’s officer 
Cauff, chaff 
Cauldrife, cold, chilly 
Caup, cup, wooden bowl; clean 
CAUP OUT, to the bottom at one 
draught 

Cense, reputed, considered 
Chalmer, chamber 
Change-house, ale-house 
Chappit, struck (of a clock) 

Cheek for chowl, cheek by jowl, 
close together 
Chenzie mail, chain mail 
Cher milor, my dear lord 
Chiel’, or CHiELD, fellow, young 
man 

Chitty, childish, baby-like 
Chopins, chopines, high pattens 
formerly worn by ladies. See Ken- 
ilworth, Note 14, p. 516 


36 


546 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Chouse, cheat, swindle 
Chucks, chuck-stones, marbles 
CiMELiA, treasures 
Clary, a mixture of wine, honey, 
and spices 

Claudius Claudianus, the last of 
the classic Roman poets, died 
early in the 5th century 
Claught, a clutch, knock 
Claver, to talk foolishly 
Cleek, or CLEiK, hook 
Cloot, hoof 
Clour, stroke, blow 
Clouted, patched, mended 
CocK-A-LEEKiE, leek soup in which 
a cock has been boiled 
Cock-lane, in Stockwell, London, 
where in 1772 mysterious knock- 
ings were asserted to be caused by 
the ghost of a murdered woman 
— a vulgar imposture 
COCKSBONES, CoCKSNAILS, CoCK AND 
PIE, corruption of God’s bones, 
etc., oaths 

Coif, covering for a woman’s head ; 
a wig 

CoisTRiL, cowardly ; a low varlet 
Collins, William, an 18th century 
poet. The lines quoted (p. 15) 
are from An Ode on the Popular 
Superstitions of the Highlands of 
Scotland 

CoLLOPS, COLLOP, minced meat, slice 
of meat 

Communis lingua, a common lan- 
guage 

CoMPONE LACHRYMAS, dry your tears 

Confess, and , completed by “ be 

hanged ” 

Contra expect anda, contrary to 
expectation 

Cony-catcher, a sharper 
Cordovan, a Spanish leather, so 
called from the town of Cordova 
Corn-pickle, a grain of corn 
Corporal-oath, an oath strength- 
ened by touching a sacred object, 
as the corporal or linen altar- 
cloth used at the celebration of 
the Eucharist 

Coshering, familiar, hospitable 
CossiKE PRACTICE, algebra 
Coted, outstripped 
CoucHEE, evening reception of some 
great person before retiring to 
sleep 

Coup, tumble, fall; coupit ower, 
overset; coup the crans, to be 
overturned, upset, come to grief 


Coup de maItre, master-stroke, mas- 
terpiece 

Court of Requests, a court of equity 
for the relief of those who ad- 
dressed the king by supplication 
Cracked within the ring. See 
Ring, cracked within the 
Craig, neck ; crag, rock 
Cramp speech, cramping (the bail- 
iff’s) challenge that ends in con- 
finement 

Crasso in aere, what a dense at- 
mosphere 

Craw’d sae CROUSE, talked so loudly 
Cross and pile, an old game of 
chance with money, a cross mark- 
ing the obverse of the coin, whilst 
the reverse was called the pile 
Crush a cup of wine, drink a cup 
of wine. Comp. Crack a bottle 
Crying roast meat, proclaiming 
publicly one’s good fortune 
CuLLioNLY, mean, base 
Cully, one meanly deceived, a dupe 
CuRN, a grain 
CussER, a stallion 

Cutter’s law, the rules of comrade- 
ship among thieves 
Cutty-quean, a worthless woman 

Daft, crazy 
Daikering, strolling 
Dang, knocked 

Davie Lindsay, the popular name 
of Sir David Lindsay of the 
Mount, a favourite 16th century 
Scottish poet 

De contractu, etc. (p. 453), on con- 
tract of pledge ; all agree on this 
point 

Decus, a crown-piece 
De la Motte, the Marquis de la 
Mothe-F^nelon, French ambassa- 
dor at Elizabeth’s court, pro- 
ceeded to Edinburgh in 1582 
Dependence, an affair in which a 
man’s honour was in question, a 
duellist’s term 

Despardieux, etc. (p. 192), ye gods, 
what a fine fellow he was ! 
Deuteroscopy, second sight 
Devil looks over Lincoln, an ex- 
pression to indicate malignant 
envy, due to the devil’s hatred of 
the beautiful cathedral at Lin- 
coln. For other explanations of 
the phrase, see Glossary to KeniU 
worth 

Devil’s bones, dice 


GLOSSARY. 


547 


Devil’s Tavern, situated near Tem- 
ple Bar in Fleet Street 
Diet-loaf, a sort of delicate, sweet 
cake 

Dieu me damme, God damn me ! 
Ding, to drive, beat, strike 
Dionysius OP Syracuse. It was the 
Younger who, after his second ex- 
pulsion in 343 B.C., is said to have 
kept a school at Corinth. The 
story of the “ lugg ” accords with 
the suspicious character of the 
Elder 

Dirdum, commotion, stir 
Dirk, a dagger 

Divinitus evasit, providentially es- 
caped 

Doctors, doctored, i.e. false, dice 
Don Diego, a Spanish-like bravo or 
bully. Richie Moniplies, who is 
alluded to, has been already (p. 
371) likened to a Spaniard in a 
passion 

Donnard, stupid 
Donnerit, stunned 
Dooms, absolutely, positively 
Dor, giving the, making a fool of, 
gulling 

Doublet, a counterfeit gem, consist- 
ing of two pieces of crystal with a 
layer of colour between them ; 
doublets, two dice showing faces 
with exactly the same number of 
spots or points 

Douce, sensible, respectable, quiet 
Dover, stun, stupor 
Dow-cot, dovecot 
Down A, do not 

Draff-pock, a sack for grains or 
refuse malt 

Drumble, to be sluggish, delay 
Dud, rag 

Dudgeon dagger, knife, a large 
knife or dagger, generally with an 
ornamental haft 

Duke of Lennox, Lodowick Stuart, 
Duke of Lennox and Richmond, 
and cousin to James I. 
Dule-weeds, mourning 
Dunt, knock 

Eard-hunger, hunger for land 
Earl of Warwick (p. 53), the myth- 
ical Guy of Warwick, the hero of 
a mediaeval romance, who slew a 
fierce Dun Cow near Warwick 
Eastward hoe (p. 418), America is 
so indicated geographically in an 
old play of the period 


Een, eyes 

Eichstadius, Laurentius, a doctor 
of Stettin, who wrote Prognosticon 
Conjunctione magna Saturni et 
Jovis (1622), and other works on 
astrology 

Elritch, unearthly, horrid 
Enow, enough 

Equam memento, etc. (p. 452), re- 
member to stick to your mare in 
difficulties 

Esprit follet, goblin, sprite 
Ethnic, heathen 

Et quid, etc. (p. 150), And what is 
spoken of in Leyden to-day, — your 
Vossius, has he written nothing 
new ? Certainly nothing, I regret, 
which has recently appeared in 
type 

Euclio apud Plautum, See Plautus, 
Aulalaria, Act iv. sc. 9 
Euge ! BELLE ! OPTIME ! Well douc I 
excellent ! first-rate ! 

Evited, shunned, avoided 
Exempli gratia, for example 
Exies, hysterics 

Ex NiHiLo NIHIL FIT, from nothing, 
nothing comes 

Expiry of the legal, expiration of 
the period in which an estate that 
has been pledged for debt may be 
redeemed 

Ex PBOPOSiTO, on purpose 

Facilis descensus Averni, the easy 
descent to the infernal regions 
Falkland, an ancient, royal palace 
in Fifeshire 

Falset, falsehood ; false 
Fanfaron, a swaggerer, boaster 
Fash, trouble, concern ; fashious, 
troublesome 

Fatal banquet, etc. (p. 536), an al- 
lusion to the cause of death of 
Robert Greene, the dramatist and 
poet 

Fause, false, stupid 
Fautor, patron, favourer 
Fence-louper, fence-leaper, applied 
to sheep 
Fico, a fig 
Fit, foot 

Fleeching, flattering 
Flesher, butcher 
Flos sulphur, etc., sulphur oint- 
ment 

Flox-silk, floss silk, downy silk 
Fog, to seek gain by pettifogging 
practices 


548 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Forfeit, olfence, trespass 
Fobpit, a measure = quarter of a 
peck 

Fortune, a theatre in Aldersgate, 
London 

Fouat, the house-leek 
Foulmart, or foumart, a polecat 
Four hours’ nunchion, a luncheon 
or light repast taken four hours 
after a principal meal 
Four quarters, hands and feet, effi- 
cient help 

Francis of France, was defeated 
and taken prisoner at Pavia in 
1525 by the Emperor Charles V. 
Friar’s chicken, chicken broth 
boiled with eggs, beaten up and 
dropped into it 

Frontiniack or Frontignan, a 
sweet muscat wine made at Fron- 
tignan, dept. H^rault, France 
Frontless, shameless 
Fulham and gourd, different kinds 
of false dice 

Galloway, a small, strong nag, 
bred in Galloway, the southwest 
extremity of Scotland 
Gang, go ; gane, gone 
Gar, cause, make, compel 
Garnish, a fee paid by a prisoner to 
his fellow-prisoners on first join- 
ing them in confinement 
Gate, gait, way, manner, kind of; 
OUT OF THE GATE, uncommon, un- 
exceptional ; TO GANG A GREY GATE, 
see Grey gate 
Gawdy, gaudy, festivity 
Gay and weel, exceptionally well 
Gear, goods, money ; affair, busi- 
ness 

Geniejvre, gin 

Genius loci, a genius of the place 
George-a-Green, a resolute pinder 
or pound-keeper of Wakefield, 
who single-handed resisted Robin 
Hood, Little John, and Will Scar- 
lett 

Ghittern, a guitar 
Gie, give ; gien, given 
Giff-gaff, mutual obligation, I 
will serve you if you will serve 
me 

Gillie-whitefoot, a messenger, er- 
rand boy 

Gilravager, a wanton fellow 
Gin, if 

Gip, a college servant at Cambridge 
Girned, grinned 


Glaiks, glamour, dazzling reflect 
tion ; GIE THE GLAIKS, to deceive, 

jilt 

Gleed, ganging, going awry, astray 
God-den, good evening 
Golden ass of Apuleius, a young 
man named Lucian, metamor- 
phorsed into an ass, whose adven- 
tures are described in an ancient 
Greek romance by Apuleius 
Goodyear, goodjere, or goujeers, 
WHAT THE, a coarse expletive, the 
pox ! 

Go OVER THE WATER TO THE GARDEN, 

cross the Thames to Paris Garden, 
(q.v.) 

Gouk, a fool 
Gowd, gold 

Go WOODWARD, wear uncomfortable 
clothing, wool next the skin 
Graff, grave 

Grande entree, open or official ac- 
cess to court 
Grannam, grandmother 
Grassmarket, an open space in 
Edinburgh where markets were 
held 

Grat, wept 

Green, or Greene, Robert, a witty 
dramatist and poet of the end of 
16th century. See also Fatal ban- 
quet, etc. 

Greet, weep 
Grew, to curdle, thrill 
Grey (gate), to gang a, to go a bad 
road, come to an evil end 
Griskins, the small bones taken out 
of a flitch of bacon 
Grit, great 

Groaning cheese. Compare Guy 
Mannering, “Groaning Cheese,’’ 
Notel 

Groenwegenius, or Groenwegen, 
Simon van der Made, a Dutch jur- 
ist (161-352), town-clerk of Delft, 
and editor of Grotius 
Grosart, grossart, gooseberry 
Guided, managed, directed ; guid- 
ing, management 
Gully, large knife 
Gusedub, the goose-pond, duck- 
pond of the town 
Gusty, savoury 

Gutter-blood, one of mean birth 

Hachis, or haggis, a Scotch pud- 
ding of minced meat, mixed with 
oatmeal, suet, onions, etc., boiled 
in a skin bag 


GLOSSARY. 


549 


Haet, the smallest thing imaginable 
Haffits, cheeks 

Hafflins, a hobbledehoy, youth 
Haill, whole, entire 
Hair in his neck, something that 
will give one an advantage over 
or a pretext for twitting another 
Hale, whole 

Hallyards, an old mansion of Fife- 
shire belonging to the Skene fam- 
ily 

Hame-sucken, assaulting a person 
in his own house 

Hamilton, Count Anthony, wrote 
the Memoirs of his brother-in-law, 
Count de Grammont, giving a 
lively picture of the court of 
Charles II. of England 
Hanked, made furious, baited 
Harle, to drag 

Harry Wynd fought, an allusion 
to the smith who volunteered to 
fight with a Highland clan at 
Perth for the mere love of fight- 
ing. See Fair Maid of Perth 
Hart of grease, a hart in best con- 
dition 

Hatch-door, a half-door 
Haud, hold 
Havings, manners 
Hawk, to cough violently for the 
purpose of bringing up phlegm 
Haydock, Richard, an account of 
his imposture will be found in 
Rennet’s History of England, vol. 
ii. p. 711 

Hays, an old-fashioned country- 
dance 

Hazard, a dice game 
“Heartless, oft,” etc. (p. 15), 
from Collins’s Ode on the Popular 
Superstitions of the Highlands of 
Scotland 

Heautontimorumenos ; or. The Self- 
Tormentor, a comedy by Terence 
Heben-wood, ebony 
Heck and manger, prodigal and 
unconcerned 

Hedge-parson, a clergyman who 
performed irregular marriages 
Hermit of Parnell, the subject of 
a poem by Dr. Thomas Parnell, 
a minor poet of Queen Anne’s 
reign. The lines in the text (p. 
25) parody the original 
Het, hot 

Heugh, dell ; crag 

Hidalgo, a Spanish nobleman 

High Dutch, German. The Ger- 


man word gram means sorrow, 
affliction, tribulation 
Hinny, honey, darling 
Hirdie-girdie, topsy-turvy 
Hirpling, hobbling 
Hirsel, a fiock 

Hit, a move in backgammon, by 
which a player compels his adver- 
sary to begin over again 
Holborn, ride up. See ride up 
Holborn 

Horn-mad, stark mad, outrageous 
Horse-graith, trappings, harness 
Howff, a haunt 

Huff, swaggerer, blusterer, one 
swoln with pride or arrogance 
Humming, strong. Metheglin (and 
so beer) was said to make the 
head hum like the hive from 
which the honey was taken, of 
which it was made 
Hungerford Stairs, beside the 
Thames, on the spot where Char- 
ing Cross railway bridge now 
crosses the river 

Hustle-cap, pitching half-pence at 
a mark, and selecting from the 
whole of the coins such as fall 
head upwards, according to the 
several players’ nearness to the 
mark 

Ignoto, unknown 
I LicTOR, etc. (p. 522), Go, lictor, 
bind his hands, cover his head, 
hang him on the accursed tree 
Ilka, ilk, each, every 
III redd-up, very untidy 
Ill-willy, ill-natured 
Imo Rex, etc.(p. 150), Yes, your most 
august majesty, I staid almost 
two years among the people of 
Leyden 

“ Inclusus varus,” etc. (p. 514), an 
inclosed spirit attends the various 
stars, and urges on the living 
work with reguleted motion. 
(Claudian, Epigrams, No. 68) 

In cuerpo, without a cloak, naked, 
a Spanish phrase 

InCUMBITE REMUS FORTITER, Apply 
yourselves strenuously to the oars 
Infandum, etc. (p. 207), to renew 
the unspeakable pain 
Infesti regibus, dangerous to kings 
Ingine, intuition, genius 
Injured Thales of the moralist. 
See Dr. Johnson’s satirical poem, 
London 


560 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Inkle, a kind of crewel or embroid- 
ery in wool 

In malam partem, in ill part 
In meditatione fug2e, meditating 
flight 

“In nova fert,” etc. (pp. 250 and 
515), My mind leads me again to 
speak of changed forms 
Inter parietis ECCLESiiE, within the 
walls of a church 

In terrorem, as a terror to evil- 
doers 

In verbo REGIS, by the king’s word 
Iris, in Greek mythology, the mes- 
senger of the gods, represented 
by the rainbow 

“It’s hame, and it’s hame,’’ etc. (p. 
448), from a song by Allan Cun- 
ningham 

Jacobus, gold coin = 25s. 

Jacta est alea, the die is cast ; he 
has made his choice 
James with the Fiery Face, James 
II. of Scotland 
Jaud, jade 

Jeweller of Delhi, etc. (p. 15). 
See “History of Mahoud,’’ in 
Weber’s Tales of the East, vol. hi. 
p. 479, etc. 

JiLL-FLIRTOr GILL-FLIRT, a thought- 
less, giddy girl 
JipPER, to jeopard, peril 
Joannes Barclaius, John Barclay, 
author of Argenis, enjoyed the 
favour of James I. 

John Taylor, the poet, a Thames 
waterman, usually styled The 
Water-poet (1580-1654) 
JoLTER-PATE, blockhead 
JOUK AND LET THE JAW GAE BY, StoOp 

and let the wave go by, bend to 
the storm 
Jowl, toll of a bell 
Justus et tenax propositi, a just 
man,and tenacious of his purpose 

Kaiser, emperor 

Kemp, to strive for victory ; kemp- 
iNG, strife, struggle 
Ken, know ; kenn’d, known ; ken- 
ning, reach, range, knowledge 
Kennel, street-gutter 
Kersey, a kind of coarse, woollen 
cloth, generally ribbed 
Kimmer, a gossip 

King Cambyses’s vein, a ranting 
character in an old play by 
Thomas Preston entitled Cam- 


byses, King of Persia. There is 
another version by Elkanah Settle 
(1671) 

King Lud, a mythical king of an- 
cient Britain, whose name is said 
to survive in Ludgate, London 
Kirk AND miln, make a. Make what 
you will of it, do whatever you 
please with it 

Kirkcaldy, extends about four 
miles along the north shore of the 
Firth of Forth, and is nicknamed 
the Long Town 
Kist, chest, trunk 

Kittle, ticklish, difficult; to tickle 
Knapping, stealing 
Kraemes, or Crames, shops in a 
passage between the old Lucken- 
booths of the High Street of Edin- 
burgh and St. Giles Cathedral 
Kythed, caused, made to show 

Laberius, a Roman ‘ ‘ knight,” 
whom Caesar constrained (45 b.c.) 
to take part in a trial of extem- 
oraneous farce against a cele- 
rated “ mime,” Publius Syrus 
Lady Christabel, an allusion to 
Coleridge’s poem 

Laid up in lavender, in prison, 
confinement 
Laigh, low 
Lair, learning 

Lambmas, or Lammas Day, the first 
day of August 
Landlouper, an adventurer 
Lap, jumped 
Latten, a kind of brass 
Lavrock, the lark 
Lay leaguer, was in garrison 
Leasing, lying ; leasing-making, 
treason 

Le FANFARON, etc. (p. 412), the 
boaster of vices which he had not 
Le petit Leyth, i.e. Leith, which 
was held by Mary of Lorraine, the 
queen regent, and the Catholic 
party, supported by French 
troops, and besieged by the Scot- 
tish Protestants, the Lords of the 
Congregation, in 1560 
Leugh, laughed 

Lief, dear, beloved ; as lief, as 
soon, gladly 
Lift, sky 

Lingua franca, a common lan- 
guage; generally a corrupt Ital- 
ian ; but the word quoted on p. 
133 is Spanish 


GLOSSARY. 


551 


Lither, lazy, supple 
Loop, palm of the hand 
Loon, fellow, rascal ; strumpet 
Lord Sanquhar, after having his 
eye put out by John Turner, a 
fencing-master, during a friendly 
trial, caused Turner to be mur- 
dered ; but being a peer of Scot- 
land only , he was denied the priv- 
ilege of trial by his peers, and was 
executed at Westminster 
Loun, lound, low, calm 
Lourin’, leaping 

Lucio, in Shakespeare’s Measure far 
Measure, Act v. sc. 1 
Luckie, dame, a title given to old 
women 

Lully’s philosophy. Raymond 
Lullius, or Lully, invented in the 
13th century a sort of mechanical 
system of philosophy for convert- 
ing the Moslems to Christianity ; 
he also practised alchemy 
Lustre, a period of five years 

Mabre, marble 

Maelstrom, a formidable whirlpool 
at the south extremity of the Lo- 
foten Islands, off the west coast 
of Norway 

Maggot, whim, fancy 
Mahound, the name given in the 
mediaeval mystery plays to a 
demon intended to represent the 
prophet Mahomet 
Mail, baggage 

Main, throw a, take a hand at dice 
Mair, more 

Mair tint on Flodden Edge, a 
proverbial expression meaning. 
There was more lost in the battle 
of Flodden, i.e., Things might 
have been worse 
Maist, most ; ’maist, almost 
Malleus malificarum, the ham- 
mer to break to pieces the male- 
factors, an allusion to a work 
(1487) bearing that title, by 
Sprenger and Kramer, describ- 
ing the processes to be followed 
against witches 

Man of Uz, Job of the Old Testa- 
ment 

Mar^chal Strozzi (Philip), French 
general (154-182), distinguished 
himself in the reign of Francis II. 
Marle, marvel, wonder 
Marmite, porridge pot, iron pot for 
cooking 


Marmozet, a small monkey 
Marry guep, corruption of Marry 
go up ! an exclamation of scorn 
or contempt 

Master of Glamis, one of the par- 
ticipants in the Raid {g.v.) of 
Ruthven 

Master Puff, in Sheridan’s Critic, 
Act iii. sc. 1 
Maun, must 

Maze in Tothill Fields, a favour- 
ite resort of Londoners in the 
16th century, situated near the 
W estminster and Vauxhall 
Bridge Road 

Melancholy Jacques. See Shake- 
speare’s As You Like It, Act ii. 
sc. 1 

Meliora spero, I expect better 
things 

Mell with, meddle with 
Menseful, discreet, mature 
Merk, an old Scotch silver coin = 
Is. Ud. 

Mermaid, a tavern between Broad 
Street and Friday Street, Cheap- 
side, where Sir Walter Raleigh 
founded a club of wits, and where 
Ben Jonson used to frequent 
Mew, to moult, shed (feathers, etc.) 
Michael Scott, De Secretis, an al- 
ternative title for the magician’s 
best known work on generation, 
De Phisiognomia et Hominis Pro- 
creatione (ed. Frankfort, 1615). 
Miching, mean, cowardly, skulk- 
ing 

Mickle, large, much 
Mighty Mightinesses, meant for 
High and Mighty, a mode em- 
ployed in addressing the States- 
General of the Netherlands 
Mint, to hint, aim at 
Mirk, dark 
Miscawed, abused 
Misleard, unmannerly 
Mobility, the common people, rab- 
ble 

Montero, huntsman’s cap 
Moralist. See Injured Thales of 
the moralist 

Mort-cloth, a funeral pall 
Mother Redcap of Hungerford 
Stairs, the name is borrowed 
from a notorious shrew of Kent- 
ish Town, called Mother Redcap 
or Mother Damnable 
Motion of the poor noble, the 
puppet-show of the poor noble 


552 


WAVBRLEY NOVELS. 


Moubnival, all four aces, or kings, 
etc., in gleek 
Moyle, or moil, mule 
Muckle, much 

Mun, dissolute young spark of the 
reign of Queen Anne 
“My lord, beware of jealousy,” 
etc. (p. 177), from Othello, Act hi. 
sc. 3; but for “make” read 
“mock” 

Nae, not; naething, nothing 
Namesake of Smithfield memory, 
Queen Mary of England, in 
whose reign so many Protestants 
were burned at Smithfield 
Nappy (ale), strong, heady 
Nash, Thomas, a merry but unfor- 
tunate satirist of the end of Eliza- 
beth’s reign 
Needsna, needs not 
Ne inducas, etc. (p. 458), Lead us 
not into temptation ; get thee be- 
hind me, Satan 
Nicher, neigh, giggle 
Nick, to defeat, cozen, deceive 
Nicotia, tobacco 

Niffer for niffer, a fair exchange 
Night-rail, a night-gown 
Nipperkin, a small measure of ale, 
etc. 

Noble, a gold coin = 6s. 8d. 

Non est inquirendum, etc. (p. 457), 
No questions must be asked as to 
where the venison comes from, 
i. e. what the word “ venison, is ” 
etymologically derived from 
“Non ignara mali,” etc. (p. 460), 
Not ignorant of evil, I learn to 
succour the wretched (Virgil, 
JEneid, i. 634) 

Non mea renidet, etc. (p. 101), 
There was no ceiling in my 
house 

Non olet, it does not smell 
Non omnis moriar, I shall not alto- 
gether die 

Non surdo canis, You sing not to 
one who is deaf 
Non utendo, for lack of using 
Nooning, a repast at noon 
Norland stots, northern folk; lit- 
erally, young bullocks 
Nor’ Loch, a small lake or swamp 
in Edinburgh, where the Princes 
Street Gardens now are 
Nowte, black cattle 
Nullifidian, of no faith, a disbe- 
liever 


Nunchion. See Four hours’ nun- 
chion 

Oaken towel, oak cudgel 
Old Truepenny, the name Hamlet 
applies to his father’s ghost in 
Act i. sc. 5 

Onyx cum prole, etc. (p. 451), The 
onyx and its child, the pebble, 
the onyx and its child 
Opignorate, or oppignorate, to 
pledge 

Oranienburgh, or ITranienborg, 
the observatory built by Tycho 
Brah5 on the Danish island of 
Hven in the Sound 
Orpheus seeking his Eurydice. 
Eurydice, wife of Orpheus, was 
killed and taken to Hades on 
her wedding night ; her husband 
went down to the infernal regions 
to seek for her 

Osborne, Francis, master of horse 
to the Earl of Pembroke, and 
author of Traditional Metiioirs of 
the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and 
James L, printed in Secret History 
of the Court of James /., edited by 
Sir W. Scott, 2 vols. (Edinburgh, 
1811) 

Other gate, other sort of, kind of 
Out-taken, except 
OwcHE, or OUCH, an ornamental 
brooch or clasp 

Ox, BLACK, HAS NOT TROD ON YOU, 
misfortune has not come to you 

Pagenstecherus, or Pagenstecher, 
J. F. G., a Dutch jurist (1686- 
1746) , lectured on law at Steinfort 
and at Harderwyk 
Paik, beat, chastise 
Pandite fores, throw open the 
doors 

Paned, variegated, striped 
Panged, crammed, pressed 
Paris Garden, a bear-garden in 
Bankside {q.v.). one having been 
kept on the Thames bank by 
Robert de Paris in the reign of 
Richard II. 

Par voye du fait, by the rough 
hand, violence 
Pasquinado, a lampoon 
Passage, game of dice 
Pater Patri^, father of the coun- 
try 

Paul’s Chain, a chain drawn across 
the carriage-way of St. Paul’s 


GLOSSARY. 


653 


churchyard during time of divine 
service 

Pavia. See Francis of France 
Pease-bogle, scarecrow 
Pedlar’s French, vagabonds’ cant, 
jargon 

Peery, knowing, cunning 
Peg-a-Ramsay, the title of an ob- 
scene old song; see Shakespeare’s 
Twelfth Night, Act ii. sc. 3 
Penetralia, inner recesses 
Penneech, an old card-game 
Penny Scots = t^sth of English 
penny 

Per aquam refectionis, by refresh- 
ing waters 

Per aversionem, in the gross 
Perdu, in concealment 
“Peru, interii,” etc. (p. 456), I 
am lost, ruined, undone ; whither 
can I run? whither not run? 
Hold, hold ! — Whom? who am I 
to hold ? I do not know. I see 
nothing. Plautus, Aulularia, Act 
iv. sc. 9 

Petits plats exquis, exquisite little 
dishes 

Piazza, the open arcade running 
along the north and east sides of 
old Covent Garden market 
PiCKTHANK, an officious fellow, 
toady 

Pig, an earthen vessel, jar 
Pineal gland, a part of brain sup- 
posed by the philosopher Des- 
cartes to be the seat of the soul 
Pisces purga, etc. (p. 449), clean 
the fish. See that the salt fish is 
well steeped 
PisTOLET, a little pistol 
Pit up, put up, lodge 
Place de carrousel, place for show- 
ing off horses in chariot-racing 
and similar exercises 
Placet, petition 

Place, a copper coin = id. ster- 
ling; place and bawbee, to the 
full 

Play rex, domineer over, act des- 
potically towards 

Pleached, plashed and woven to- 
gether (said of branches of a tree 
or hedge) 

Ploy, frolic, entertainment 
PocE, POEE, a bag, purse 
PocE-PUDDiNG, a Scotsman’s term 
of contempt for an Englishman 
PoiNS AND Peto, in Shakespeare’s 
Henry IV. 


Point-device, in every particular, 
with the greatest exactitude 
PooRTiTH, poverty 
Port, town-gate 

Porta, Baptista, or Giambattista 
DELLA, a Neapolitan natural 
philosopher, who wrote De Hu- 
mana Physiognomonia (1591) and 
other scientific works 
Portugal piece = 4s., a silver coin 
worth 8 reals, and sometimes 
called a piece of eight 
Pot, a soldier’s steel cap 
PoTESTAS MARiTALis, the rights of a 
husband 

Pottle, pot or tankard 
Pound Scots = Is. 8d. English 
PouTHER, gunpowder 
Pow Burn, a ditch in Newington, 
a southern suburb of Edinburgh 
Powdered (beef), sprinkled with 
salt, etc., pickled 

Pr^libatio matrimonii, foretaste 
of marriage 
Prestable, payable 
Prester John, a fabulous Christian 
king of distant Asia (or Abys- 
sinia), reputed to be possessed of 
immense wealth 
Prie, to taste 

Principium et fons, head and 
source 

Princox, a coxcomb 
Propera pedem, hasten away 
Proxeneta, a negotiator, agent 
Prunella, a kind of lasting of which 
clergymen’s gowns were formerly 
made 

Publius Terentius, or Terence, 
the Roman comedy-writer, was a 
native of Carthage in Africa, and 
was taken to Rome a slave 
PuLCHRA SANE PUELLA, truly a beau- 
tiful girl 

Punchinello, a puppet-showman 

Qu.® MARiBUS, etc., which are attrib- 
uted only to males 
Quaigh, a small drinking-cup 
Quam bonum et quam jucundum, 
how good and how pleasant 
Quarr^e, or cuRiiE, quarry, killed 
game 

Quarry Holes, a depression at the 
foot of Calton Hill, near Holyrood 
Palace, where duels were fought 
and female criminals drowned 
Quean, a woman, wench 
Queered, ridiculed, derided 


554 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Qu’est-ce, etc. (p. 190), What have 
we to do with the past ? 

Quid de symbolo? What of the 
sign? 

Quis DESiDERio, etc. (p. 396), What 
shame or limit can there be to the 
affection borne for so dear a per- 
son? 

Quoad Anglos, as regards the Eng- 
lish 

Quoad hominem, locum, as regards 
the man, the place 

Rabble, to mob, assault in a riotous 
fashion 

Raid of Ruthven, a conspiracy of 
Scottish nobles in 1582, to free 
James VI. (I.), then a boy, from 
the faction of Lennox and Arran 
Rampallian, rascal, villain 
Rasp-haus, more correctly, rasp- 
huis, a house of correction, prison 
Rax, to stretch 

Repding-kaim, unravelling comb 
Redd the gate, cleared, prepared 
the way ; redd up, put in order 
Redriffe, the popular pronuncia- 
tion of Rotherhithe 
Red-shank, bare-legged person, a 
Highlander 

Red Tod of St. Andrews, King 
James V. of Scotland ; he had red 
hair 

Red-wud, stark mad 
Reformado, an officer deprived of 
his command, but retaining his 
rank and pay 

Regis ad exemplar, etc. (p. 387), 
the whole world is arranged after 
the example of the king 
Reird, clamour, noise 
Rem acu, etc. (p. 475), You have 
hit the nail on the head. Baby 
Charles 

Remeid, remedy, redress 
Res angusta domi, straitened cir- 
cumstances at home 
Rex, play. See Play rex 
Ride up Holborn (Hill), in the 
executioner’s cart, on the way to 
be hanged at Tyburn 
Ring, cracked within the, faulty 
in sound (ring), not good 
Ritson, Joseph, a learned, but ec- 
centric 18th, century antiqua^, 
animated by a passion for strict 
and literal accuracy 
Roast-meat, crying. See Crying 
roast-meat 


Rollock, Robert, the first profes- 
sor of the University of Edin- 
burgh, founded in 1582 
Rook, defraud, clear out 
Roopit, croaking, hoarse 
Rosa solis, a cordial, made of spir- 
its, flavoured with cinnamon, 
orange-flower, etc. 

Rose-noble, noble bearing repre- 
sentation of a rose, first coined 
under Edward VI. ^nd worth 10s. 
Rose Tavern, in Russell Street, 
Covent Garden 

Roti des plus excellens, a most 
excellent roast 

Rounding, whispering ; roundly, 
bluntly, frankly 

Row, roll; bowls row wrang, 
things go amiss 
Rowt, roar, bellow 
Rudas, bold, masculine woman 
Rummer glasses, large drinking- 
glasses 

Rundlet, a small barrel, holding 
18 i gallons 

Ruthvens, William Earl of Gowrie 
and his associates. See Raid of 
Ruthven 

Saam, same 
Sackless, innocent 
Sae, so 

St. Barnaby was ten years, ten 
years ago last St. Barnabas day, 
i.e. 11th June 

St. Thomas-a-Watering, a church 
on the Old Kent Road, South- 
wark, so called from a brook 
dedicated to St. Thomas-a-Becket 
Sair, sore 

Salt eel, an eel or eel’s skin pre- 
pared for use as a whip ; a flog- 
ging, beating 

Salve bis, etc. (p. 150), Twice hail, 
and four times, our Glenvarloch ! 
Have you not lately returned to 
Britain from Leyden ? 

Salve magne parens. Hail, great 
parent 

Sancho’s suppressed witticisms, in 
Don Quixote. Pt. I, bk. iii. chap, 
xxi. 

Sara, the daughter of Raguel. 
See the Book of Tobit, iii. 2, 3, in 
the Apocrypha 

Scandaalum Magnaatum, an of- 
fence against those in authority 
Scantling, a smattering, modicum 
ScAUDiNG, scolding ; also scalding 


GLOSSARY. 


555 


Scaur, scare, frighten 
Scotch mile = 9 furlongs 
ScouGALL, a Scottish portrait- 
painter of the time of Charles II. 
Scout, a college servant at Oxford 
Secundum artem, according to rule 
Sed semel insanivimus omnes, we 
have all been mad at one time or 
another 

Semi-reducta Venus, half-reclining 
Venus 

Series patefacti, etc. (p. 399), the 
series of the murder providential- 
ly revealed 

Shabble, a crooked sword, or 
hanger 
Shoon, shoes 

Shot of, shut of, free from 
Shouther, shoulder 
Shule, shovel 
Sib, related 
Sic, such 

Sic fuit, est, erit, thus it was, is, 
and will be 
Sicker, sure, certain 
Sifflication, supplication, petition 
Simmie and his brother, two beg- 
ging friars, whose rogueries make 
the subject of an old satirical bal- 
lad; see David Laing’s Select Re- 
mains of Ancient Popular Poetry 
(1822) 

Sinciput, the upper part of the 
skull ; forehead 
Sine mora, without delay 
Skeigh, skittish 
Skelder, to swindle, cheat 
Skene, skeen, a Highlander’s knife 
Skene, Sir John, a great lawyer 
and scholar, whom in 1589 it had 
been suggested to send to Den- 
mark to arrange for James I.’s 
marriage with Princess Anne of 
that country 

Sleeveless gate, a fruitless errand 
Slops, breeches ; huge-paned slops, 
breeches with large stripes or 
variegations 

Slurring, a particular way of slid- 
ing or slipping dice 
Smaik, rascal, contemptible fellow 
Smelt, half-guinea 
Snap-haunce, a firelock 
Snigger, sniggle, to giggle 
SoLDADO, a soldier 
SoLDAN, sultan 
Spangs, springs, leaps 
Spanish ambassador’s time, in 1603- 
8, when Don Pedro de Cuniga was 


Spanish ambassador at the court 
of James I. 

Speer, to inquire, ask ; speerings, 
inquiries 

Spolia opima, the richest booty 
Spondanus, or Henri de Sponde 
(1568-1643), bishop of Pamiers in 
France, wrote several historical 
works 

Spraickle, clamber 
Springald, a stripling 
Spunkie, will o’ the wisp, ignis 
fatuus 

Spunk out, leak out 
Stabbing, using a box so narrow at 
the bottom that the dice fall out 
with those faces uppermost which 
were put in looking downwards 
Stand buff, confront boldly, with- 
out fear 

Standish, inkstand 
Statim atque instanter, instantly 
and at once 
Steekit, shut, closed 
Steenie, the nickname James I. 
gave to George Villiers, Duke of 
Buckingham, owing to some fan- 
cied resemblance he bore to the 
martyr Stephen 
Stock-fish, dried cod or ling 
Stocking, putting in the stocks 
Stot, bullock 

Strand-scouring, gutter-hunting 
Strapping up, being hanged 
Styptic, a remedy to check the fiow 
of blood 

SuBSCRivE, subscribe, sign 
Succory-water, chicory water 
Sully, Maximilien de Bethune, 
Duke of, minister of Henry IV. 
of France, and author of famous 
Memoires (1634 and 1662) 

Summa totalis, the sum total 
Surge carnifex, rise up, butcher 
Susanna and the Elders. See The 
History of Susanna in the Apoc- 
rypha 

SwAD, a silly, coarse person, coun- 
try bumpkin 

Swaddled, beat, cudgelled 
Swan of Avon, Shakespeare, so- 
called by Ben Jonson 
SwiTH, instantly 

Syllabub, or silltbub, wine, ale, or 
cider, mixed with cream or milk, 
then sweetened and flavoured 
with lemon-juice, rose-water, etc. 
Syrus, PHILOSOPHICAL, a Syrian 
slave, known as Publius, under 


656 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


whose name a collection of pithy 
proverbs was long current in 
Rome 

Tabinet, a texture of silk and wool, 
with a watered surface 
Tae, the one 
Ta’en, taken 

Tait of woo’, a lock or small por- 
tion of wool 

Tanquam in speculo, etc. (p. 386), I 
order you to look into the dishes 
as into a mirror 

Tawse, a strap cut into narrow 
thongs, for whipping boys 
Tecum certasse, to have contended 
w'ith you 

Ted WORTH, drum of. beaten, it was 
believed, by the ghost of a drum- 
mer-boy, murdered under circum- 
stances similar to those narrated 
of Jarvis Matcham in Scott’s De- 
monology and Witchcraft, Letter x 
Teinds, tithes 

Templars, law-students of the Tem- 
ple 

T E M p o R A MUTANTUR, times are 
changed 

Tenez, monsieur, etc. (p. 193), There 
you are ; it’s you I mean 
Tent wine, a deep red wine made 
near Malaga in Spain 
Tester, an old silver coin = 6d. 
Tewkesbury mustard, was former- 
ly sent in little balls all over Eng- 
land. Comp. Hen. IV., Part II. 
Act ii. sc. 4 

Thales, injured. See Injured 
Thales of the Moralist 
“ The devil damn thee black,” 
etc. (p. 166), See Macbeth, Act v. 
sc. 3 

” The hallow’d soil,” etc. (p. 381), 
Queen Elizabeth was born in 
Greenwich Palace 
Theobald’s, a royal seat of James 
I. near Chestnut, in Hertshire 
The stalk of carle-hemp, etc. (p. 
382), used in Burns’s Poem, To 
Blacklock. See also Carle-hemp 
Third night (of playwright). The 
proceeds of the third night after a 
new play was put on the stage 
went to the author 
” Those lyric feasts,” etc. (p. 200), 
from Herrick’s Hesperides 
Through-stanes, flat gravestones 
Tib, ace of trumps in gleek, counted 
15 


Tiddy, four of trumps in gleek, 
counted 4 
Tilt, an awning 
Tint, lost 

Tityretu’s, town sparks of the end 
of the 17th century — name bor- 
rowed from Virgil’s Eclogue, i. 1 
Tocher, dowry 

Tod Lowrie, equivalent to Reynard 
the Fox, a crafty person 
Toom, empty 

Topping, was when only one die 
was dropped in the box, the other 
being held, concealed, between the 
fingers at the top of the box 
Tout, or toot, a blast of a horn ; fit 
of ill-humour or ill-health 
Towser, five of trumps in gleek, 
which counted 5, not 15, in the 
game 

Trankum, gimcrack, a trumpery 
thing 

Treen, wooden 

Trepan, or trapan, a snare, trap 
Tr^s bon gentilhomme pourtant, a 
very excellent gentleman, never- 
theless 

Trowl, to throw, roll, drive about 
Truepenny. See Old Truepenny 
Trunnion, a stake, tree-trunk, trun- 
cheon 

Turbat^ Palladis arma, arms of 
the troubled Pallas (Athene), 
who made the Gorgon so hideous 
that whoever looked upon her 
was turned into stone 
Turn-broche, a turnspit 
Twa, two 

Twelve kaisers, first twelve Cae- 
sars, or emperors of ancient Rome 
Twiring, making eyes, taking sly 
glances 
Tyke, a cur 

Umquhile, the late 
Unce, ounce 

Under the rose, sub rosa, to tell you 
in confidence 

Un vrai diable dechain±, a very 
unchained devil 

Usque ad mutilationem, even to 
dismemberment 

Ym atque dolor, grief and pain 
Valeat quantum, may it avail 
much 

Valet QuiDEM. etc. (p. 151),Vossius 
is indeed well, gracious king, but 
is a most venerable old man, if I 


GLOSSARY. 


557 


am not mistaken, in his seventieth 
year 

Vapour one the huff, to assume a 
bullying style ; vapours you the 
GO-BY, treats you with neglect, in- 
difference 

Vendisses, or vendace, a choice 
kind of white fish, found only in 
one or two places in England, 
Scotland, and Sweden 
Venienti occurrite morbo, meet 
the coming disease 
Vennel, a steep street on the south 
side of the Grassmarket, Edin- 
burgh 

Ventre St. Gris, an oath, meaning 
probably, “ By the body of St. 
Christ ” 

Verquere, an old Dutch game, 
something resembling backgam- 
mon 

Vessail, vessels, plate 
Via, away 

ViDi TERRAM, etc. (p. 400), I saw 
the land that it was very good, 
and I bent ray shoulder to carry, 
and am become a servant under 
tribute 

Vied the ruff and revied, staked 
and staked again on the trump — 
terms used in gleek 
Vi nempe, etc. (p. 465), doubtless 
by force, and in a way common 
to fathers 

ViNNIUS, or ViNNEN, ARNOLD, a 
Dutch jurist, rector of a college 
at the Hague, and afterwards 
(1633-57) law professor at Leyden 
ViNTRY, a portion of Thames Street, 
between London and Blackfriars 
Bridges, where the wdne -mer- 
chants unshipped their cargoes 
ViRETOT, ON THE, on the trudge, 
on the tramp — a phrase used in 
Chaucer’s Tale 

VlRUM MEHERCLE, CtC. (p. 151), So 
help me, Hercules, I had scarcely 
thought him so old a irian ; and 
that Vorstius, the successor as 
w’ell as adherent of the reprobate 
Arminius — is that hero, as I may 
say with Homer, still alive and 
seeing the light on earth? 

Vi VERS, victuals 

ViVUM QUIDEM, etc. (p. 151), It is 
not long since I saw the man 
alive, indeed ; but who can say 
he flourishes who has long lain 
prone and prostrate under the 


bolts of your eloquence, great 
king 

VoETius. There are two celebrated 
Dutch jurists of this name — Paul 
Voet (1619-77), a professor at 
Utrecht, and his son John (1647- 
1714), who practised at Utrecht 
and at Leyden 

Vorstius, or Voorst, Conrad, suc- 
ceeded Arminius as teacher in 
Leyden in 1610. James I. wrote a 
tract against him 

Vossius, Gerard John, a very 
learned Dutchman, educated at 
Leyden, and some time (1622-30) 
professor there 

Wad, laid in, pledged, mortgaged 
Wadset, a mortgage 
Waistcoateer, w'earer of a w^aist- 
coat, prostitute 

Waiter, keeper of a town-gate in 
Edinburgh 

W ANION, WITH A, with a vengeance, 
the devil ! 

Wap and win, an obscene expres- 
sion, to go in and win 
Warlock, wizard 
Wastrife, wasteful 
Water of Leith, a narrow stream 
that passes along the north side 
of Edinburgh to the Firth of 
Forth at Leith 
Waur, worse 

Well-a-day, or wellaway, an ejac- 
ulation of sorrow or grief 
Welsh main, in cock-fighting, was 
when the winners in each bout 
fought against one another till 
only one bird remained 
Westward hoe, to the west, an old 
cry of the London watermen solic- 
iting passengers going west 
Wheen, a few 

“ Where as she look’d about,” 
etc. (p. 31), from Spenser’s 
Faerie Queene, Bk. HI. canto xi. 
st. ^ 

Whigmaleery, or whigmeleerie, 
whimsical 
Whimsy, a whim 

Whinger, a large knife, usually 
worn at the belt 

Whin YARD, a short sword, hanger 
Whomle, turn over 
Whunstane, whinstone 
Wimpled, clothed with a wimple, a 
voluminous covering for the head, 
worn by women 


558 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


WiNNA, will not 

Withy, Widdie, a halter, the gal- 
lows 

WoNNOT, won’t, will not 
WooLWARD, to go dressed in wool 
only, worn next the skin 
Wot, know ; wotna, know not 
WussiNG, wishing 
Wylie-coat, under- vest, underpet- 
ticoat 

Wyte, blame 


Yellow-hammer, gold coin 

Yestate, estate 

“Yet, certes, by her face,” etc. 
(p. 16), from Faerie Queene, Bk. 
VII. canto vii. st. 5 

Zeno, the Eleatic, the favourite 
disciple of Parmenides, is said to 
have ventured his life to free his 
native country (unknown) from 
a tyrant; or perhaps Zeno the 
Stoic is meant 


INDEX 


Adolphus, J. L., Letters ... on the 
Waverley Novels, 20 
Alsatia. See Whitefriars 
Apprentices of London, 34 
Armstrong, Archie, jester, 434, 514 
Author, his Introduction, 5 ; inter- 
viewed by Captain Clutterbuck, 
15 ; on soliloquy, 321 

Barber’s shop, London, 298 ; Green- 
wich, 382 
Barnes, Betty, 24 
Beaujeu, Chevalier de, 185, 189 
Blackchester, Countess of, 203 
Both well, Francis, Earl of, 285, 536 
Buckingham, Duke of, 157 ; his 
character, 158, 532 ; in St. James’s 
Park, 230 ; at the Greenwich hunt, 
394 ; scorns Dalgarno, 468 
Burbage, actor, 200, 535 
“ By spigot and barrel,” 259 

Camlet Moat, Enfield Chase, 505 
Charing Cross, time of James I., 92 
Charles, Prince of Wales, 229; at 
the Greenwich hunting, 396 ; in 
judgment on Dalgarno, 467 
Christie, Dame Nelly, 59 ; resents 
Heriot’s advice, 86; regret at Ni- 
gel’s departure, 210 ; elopement, 
409; with Dalgarno in Enfield 
Chase, 501 ; taken back by her 
husband, 509 

Christie, John, 59; quarrel with 
Moniplies, 371; demands his wife 
from Nigel, 409 ; recovers her, 509 
Clutterbuck, Captain, his Introduc- 
tory Epistle, 13 

Coke, Roger, Court and State of 
England, quoted, 537 
Colepepper, Captain, at the ordi- 
nary, 192 ; intrudes upon Nigel, 
325 ; murders Trapbois, 351 ; in- 
terview with the scrivener, 487 ; 
killed by Moniplies, 508 
Cookery, French, 192, 534 
Corbet, Iter Boreale, quoted, 535 


Counterblast to Tobacco, King James’s, 
60, 529 

Counter Scuffle, quoted, 535 
Cuckoo’s nest, i.e. London, 193, 535 
Cunningham, Allan, 26 

Dalgarno, Lord, introduced to Ni- 
gel, 162; surprises him in his 
lodgings, 175 ; sentiments regard- 
ing his father, 182 ; takes Nigel to 
the ordinary, 188 ; dissuades him 
from going to court, 206; shuns 
Nigel’s glance, 231 ; struck by 
him, 238 ; effrontery before the 
council, 468 ; married to Her- 
mione, 470 ; his message to Nigel 
through Moniplies, 483; rage at 
the scrivener, 485 ; with Dame 
Christie in Enfield Chase, 501; 
his death, 506 
Dalwolsey, Earl of, 138, 531 
Dalzell, Sketches of Scottish History, 
quoted, 530 

Deborah, charwoman, 345 
Dionysius of Syracuse, 475 
Douglas, Earl of. Tineman, 499 
Douglas wars, 172, 532 
Duke of Exeter’s daughter, 497 

Enfield Chase, 500 
English, their jealousy of the 
Scotch, 33 

Fleet Street, London, 34, 43 
Foljambe, Lady, 265 
Fortunes of Nigel, the novel, 5 
Fortune theatre, London, 199 
French cookery, 192, 534 
“ From the touch of the tip,” 259 

Gaming, 186, 225, 244 
Gill, Commentary, 91, 530 
Glamis, Master of, 102 
Glengarry, Chief of, 537 
Glenvarloch, Lord. See Nigel 
Glenvarloch, Randal or Ochtred, 102 
Glossary, 543 


560 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


God's Revenge against Murder, 348, 
547 

Grahame, punning on name, 253 
Green- Jacket, waterman. See Vin- 
cent, Jenkin 

Greenwich Park, scene in, 398, 538 

Haldimund, Sir Ewes, 235 
Heriot, Alison, epitaph to, 528 
Heriot, George, in Ramsay’s shop, 
46 ; questions Moniplies, 51 ; vis- 
its Nigel, 73 ; questions Moniplies 
again, 77 ; invites Davie Ramsay 
to dinner, 88 ; carries the piece of 
plate to the King, 93 ; presents 
Nigel’s petition, 100 ; accompa- 
nies him to court, 142 ; discusses 
his affairs, 160 ; the Foljanibe 
apartments in his house, 265 ; visit 
to the Tower, 417 ; discovers Mar- 
garet Ramsay, 426 ; interview with 
Sir E. and Lady Mansel, 432 ; the 
King’s trick upon him, 452 ; tells 
the story of Dalgarno and Her- 
mione, 462 ; snubs Sir Mungo, 
516 ; the historical person, 5, 527 
Heriot, Judith, 109,113; her relations 
with Margaret Ramsay, 263 
Heriot’s Hospital, Edinburgh, 5, 
525 

Hermione, Lady, 118 ; Moniplies’s 
account of, 124 ; brought home by 
Heriot, 267 ; listens to Margaret 
Ramsay’s tale, 274 ; her own story, 
285; connection with Dalgarno 
462 ; her case before the King, 
468 ; married to Dalgarno, 470 ; 
hears of his death, 511 
Hildebrod, Duke, 249, 254; visits 
Nigel, 333 ; acts the sheriff, 356 
Howard, Lord Henry, 182, 534 
Huntinglen, Lord, 147 ; claims his 
boon of the King, 153 ; succeeds 
with Nigel’s petition, 156; dis- 
cusses Nigel’s affairs, 159; coun- 
sels him, 206; indignation at his 
son, 471 ; at his son’s funeral, 511 ; 
historical prototype, 532 

Introductory Epistle, Captain 
Clutterbuck’s, 13 

James I. of England, state of society 
in his reign, 7, 183, 525, 534 ; his 
Counterhlast, 60, 529 ; love of flat- 
tery, 70, 529; description of, 95, 
530; surprised by the petition, 
100 ; court reception, 148 ; con- 
verses with Nigel in Latin, 150; 


grants his petition, 156 ; hunting 
in Greenwich Park, 392 ; alarmed 
by Nigel, 394; his hunting-bottle, 
396, 537; his timidity, 398, 539; 
dislike to firearms, 437, 539 ; de- 
light at recovering the rubies, 451 ; 
hides Moniplies behind the arras, 
452, 540 ; rebukes him, 458 ; tells 
Lord Huntinglen of his son’s vil- 
lainy, 461 ; orders Dalgarno to 
wed Hermione, 468 ; exculpates 
Nigel in council, 474 ; his “ lugg ” 
in the Tower, 475 ; interest in 
Nigel’s marriage, 512; finds a 
pedigree for Margaret Ramsay, 
513 ; at the marriage, 519 ; recep- 
tion of Martha Trapbois, 520; 
knights Mcmiplies, 524 
James I. of Scotland, assassination 
of, 443, 540 
Jeddart staff, 475 
Jenny, Scots laundress, 130 
Jim, Lowestoffe’s boy, 245 
Jin Vin. See Vincent, Jenkin 
Jock of Milch, 101 
Jonson, Ben, New Inn, quoted, 533 

Kilderkin, Ned, innkeeper, 385 
Knighton, Buckingham’s groom, 
114 

Lake, Lady, 475, 541 
Latin pronunciation, 151 
Leglin-girth, 465, 541 
Leith, siege of, 192, 534 
Lilly, Life and Times, quoted, 526 
Linkboys of London, 121 
Linklater, liaurie, 68 ; recognises 
Nigel at Greenwich, 387; furthers 
Moniplies’s second “sifiiication,” 
449 

London, apprentices, 35 ; shops, 34 ; 
Fleet Street, 34, 44 ; St. Dunstan’s 
church, 66; Strand, 91; White- 
hall, 92, 530 ; Linkboys, 121; 
Thames, 143; St. James’s Park, 
221; Marshalsea, 324, 537 ; Thames, 
watermen, 366, 448 ; Tower, 401, 
p539; military training of citizens, 
496, 542. See also Whitefriars 
Lowestoffe, Reginald, 241 ; speaks 
for Nigel, 258; witness to repay- 
ment of redemption-money, 48i ; 
entertained by Moniplies, 490 ; in 
Enfield Chase, 507 
Lutin, Dalgarno’s page, 179; in En- 
field Chase, 501, 508 

MacCoul, Jem, 20 


INDEX. 


561 


Malagrowther, Sir Mungo, 106 ; at 
Heriot’s dinner-party, 109; re- 
minded of his debt, 117 ; quarrel 
with the usher, 146 ; dines at Lord 
Huntinglen’s, 172 ; fastens him- 
self upon Nigel, 222 ; at Sir E. 
Mansel’s, 434 ; condoles with Ni- 
gel, 436 ; pretends concern for 
Nigel’s poverty, 516 ; prototype of, 
530 

Mansel, Lady, 432 

Mansel, Sir Edward, 432 

Marshalsea, London, 324, 537 

Maxwell, the usher, 93 ; quarrels 
with Sir Mungo, 146; stops Nigel, 
147 

Mhic-Allastar-More, 395, 537 

Monastery , The, criticism on, 16 

Moniplies, Richie, in Fleet Street, 
43; carried to Ramsay’s, 48; re- 
fuses to part from his cloak, 50 ; 
questioned by Heriot, 51 ; account 
of his adventures, 65 ; cross-ques- 
tioned by Heriot, 77 ; gossips in 
liquor, 122 ; expostulates with 
Nigel, 212 ; quits his service, 219 ; 
quarrels with Christie, 371 ; takes 
charge of Martha Trapbois, 375 ; 
joins Nigel in the Tower, 445 ; 
asks a second favour of Linklater, 
449 ; returns the rubies to the 
King, 451 ; hidden behind the 
arras, 452 ; rebuked by the King, 
458 ; brings the redemption-money 
to Skurliewhitter, 481 ; encounter 
with Lord Dalgarno, 483 ; enter- 
tains the Templars, 490;^ his ar- 
rangement with Jin Vin, 492 ; 
despatches Colepepper, 508 ; his 
mysterious behaviour, 518; 
knighted, 524 

Monna Paula, Hermione’s maid, 
267, 272 ; her devotion to her mis- 
tress, 292, 297 

Murray, Regent, tomb of, 174 

Nelly, Dame. See Christie, Dame 
Nelly . 

Nigel, Lord Glenvarloch, 59 ; indig- 
nation at the proclamation, 71 ; 
visited by Heriot, 73 ; the mort- 
gage, 81, 102; accepts Heriot’s 
assistance, 84 ; at his dinner-party, 
111 ; sounds Moniplies about 
Hermione, 124 ; attends court, 
143 ; stopped by Maxwell, 147 ; 
converses with the King in Latin, 
150* Lord Huntinglen’s successful 
mediation, 156; meeting with 

36 


Buckingham, 158 ; surprised by 
Lord Dalgarno, 175 ; his scruples 
about gaming, 186 ; patronised by 
Countess of Blackchester, 202 ; his 
gay life, 204 ; leaves Christie’s 
house, 210 ; reproved by Moni- 
plies, 212 ; hears unwelcome tid- 
ings, 214 ; receives a warning, 2^ ; 
meets Sir Mungo in the Park, 222 ; 
cut by the Prince, 231 ; strikes 
Dalgarno, 238 ; befriended by 
Lowestoffe, 241 ; seeks refuge in 
Whitefriars, 250 ; entered in Duke 
Hildebrod’s book, 256; in Trap- 
bois’s house, 313 ; soliloquises, 
321 ; intruded upon by Captain 
Colepepper, 325 ; by Duke Hilde- 
l)rod, 3^ ; shoots the murderer, 
352; leaves Alsatia, 366; put 
ashore at Greenwich, 381; at the 
barber’s, 382 ; at Ned Kilderkin’s, 
385 ; recognised by Linklater, 387 ; 
accosts the King when hunting, 
393 ; lodged in the Tower, 402 ; 
joined by Margaret Ramsay, 404; 
visited by John Christie, 409 ; 
guesses Margaret’s sex, 416; inter- 
rogated by Heriot, 418 ; discovers 
loss of royal warrant, 425 ; condo- 
lence from Sir Mungo, 436 ; is sur- 
prised by Moniplies, 445 ; par- 
doned by the King, 474 ; his mar- 
riage, 518 ; recovers the royal 
warrant, 521 

Ordinary, in 17th century, 184 
Pages, in 17th century, 180, 532 
Penny wedding, 516, 542 
Playhouses, London, 197 
Pork, Scotch dislike to, 384, 537 

Ramsay, David, 34 ; his irritable- 
ness, 46 ; invited by Heriot to 
dinner, 88 ; at Heriot’s, 109 ; the 
historical person, 526 
Ramsay, Margaret, at Heriot’s, 110; 
interview with Dame Ursula, 134; 
confides her love-secret to her, 
138 ; her note to Nigel, 220 ; goes 
to Heriot’s house, 263; her char- 
acter, 269 ; asks Hermione to help 
her, 273 ; l3rought into the Tower, 
403 ; tells Nigel her dream, 415 ; 
discovered by Heriot, 426 ; her 
story, 428 ; a pedigree found for 
her, 513 ; marriage, 518 
Ramsay, Sir John, 531 
Ramsay, William, son of David, 527 
Raredrench, the .pothecary, 48 


662 


WAVERLEY NOVELS. 


Regent Murray, tomb of, 174 
Register of Alsatia, 256, 536 
Ring wood, Mr., 481 ; entertained by 
Moniplies, 490 

Roberts, Heriot’s cash-keeper, 114 ; 
baffles Sir Mungo, 117 

St. Dunstan’s, church in Fleet 
Street, 66 

St. James’s Park, 221 
St. Roque's, abbess of, 265 
Scots, disliked by English, 33 ; proc- 
lamation against, 72, 529; their 
dislike to pork, 384, 537 
Scrivener. See Skurliewhitter, An- 
drew 

Shad well. Squire of Alsatia, 10; 

quoted, 526 ; his Scowrers, 534 
Shops, London, time of James I., 34 
Simmons, Widow, 40 
Skimmington, riding the, 303, 536 
Skurliewhitter, Andrew, scrivener, 
90 ; at Ijord Huntinglen’s 165 ; 
soliloquises, 480 ; compelled to 
accept the redemption-money, 
482; interview with Lord Dal- 
garno, 484 ; with Colepepper, 487 
Society, English, time of James I., 
7, 183, 525, 534 
Soliloquy, Author on, 321 
Strand, London, 91 
Street-fighting, in 17th century, 183, 
534 

Stubbs, mutilation of, 438, 540 
Suddlechop, Benjamin, 127, 298 
Suddlechop, Dame Ursula, 127 ; 
called in to see Margaret Ramsay, 
130 ; advises with Jin Vin7 300 

Temple Bar, time of James I., 91 
Terry, Daniel, 25 

Thames, time of James I., 143 ; wa- 
termen of, 366, 448 
Tineman. See Douglas, Earl of 
Tower, London. 402; Traitor’s Gate, 
401, 539 ; memorials of illustrious 
prisoners, 403, 539 


Trapbois, Martha, 261, 317 ; lectures 
Nigel, 330 ; Duke Hildebrod’s pro- 
posal regarding her, 338; inter- 
feres with her father, 343, 350 ; ' 
lamentation over his death, 353, 
365 ; leaves Alsatia, 366 ; set ashore 
at Paul’s wharf, 370 ; taken charge 
of by Moniplies, 375 ; before the 
King, 520 

Trapbois, the miser, 260 ; his house 
in Alsatia, 313 ; his avarice, 318, 
342, 349; steals in upon Nigel, 349; 
murder of, 352; hiding-place of 
his treasure, 363 
Tunstall, Frank, 38 
Turner, Mrs. Anne, 128, 139, 531 

ITrsley, Dame. See Suddlechop, 
Dame Ursula 

Ventriloquism, James I.’s use of, 
541 

Vincent, Jenkin, 37 ; sells the bar- 
nacles, 41 ; accosts Moniplies, 44 ; 
encounter with Colepepper, 194; 
interview with Dame Ursula, 300 ; 
fetches Nigel from Whitefriars, 
366; puts Nigel ashore at Green- 
wich, 381 ; talk with Moniplies, 
492 ; with the rescue party, 507 ; 
subsequent history, 510 

Wallace, William, architect of 
Heriot’s Hospital, 525 
Watermen, Thames, 366, 448 
Webster, Upon Witchcraft, quoted, 
540 

Whitefriars, London, 9, 240 ; sanc- 
tuary of, 251 ; characters in, 526 
Whitehall, time of James I., 92, 530 
Winchester, Bishop of, 470 
Wits, time of James I., 202, 536 

“Your suppliant, by name,” 256 

ZuccHERO, Frederigo, 538 


END OF THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 


The Antique Library of Standard and 
Popular 12nrios. 


ABBE CONSTANTIN. 

Halevy. 

ABBOT. Scott. 

ADAM BEDK Eliot. 

AESOP’S FABLES. 
ALHAMBRA. Irving. 

ALICE. Lytton. 

AN AMERICAN GIRL IN 
LONDON. Duncan. 

ANDERSEN’S FAIRY 
TALES. Andersen. 

ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN. 

Scott. 

ANTIQUARY. Scott. 

ARABIAN NIGHTS’ EN- 
TERTAINMENTS. 
ARDATH. Corelli. 

AULD LANG SYNE. 

Russell. 

BARON MUNCHAUSEN. 

Raspe. 

BARRACK ROOM BAL- 
LADS AND OTHER 
VERSE. Kipling. 

BEHIND A MASK. Daudet. 
BETROTHED. Scott. 

BETWEEN TWO OPIN-. 

IONS. Loti. 

BEYOND THE CITY. 

Doyle. 

BIG BOW MYSTERY. 

Zangwill. 

BLACK BEAUTY. Sewell. 
BLACK DWARF. Scott. 
BLACK TULIP. Dumas. 
BONDMAN. Caine. 

BRIDE OF LAMMER- 
MOOR. Scott. 

BRYANT’S POEMS. 

Bryant. 

CALLED BACK. Conway. 
CAST UP BY THE SEA. 

Baker. 


CAXTONS, THE Lytton. 
CHANGE OF AIR. Hope. 
CHILDREN OF THE AB- 
BEY. Roche. 

CHOUANS. Balzac. 

CLEOPATRA. Haggard. 
CLOISTER WENDHUSEN. 

Heimburg. 

COUNT ROBERT OF 
PARIS. Scott. 

COWPER’S POEMS. 

Cowper. 

CRIQUETTE. Halevy. 

DANESBURY HOUSE. 

Wood. 

DANIRA. Werner. 

DARK DAYS. Conway. 
DAVID COPPERFIELD. 

Dickens. 

DEEMSTER. Caine. 

DEERSLAYER. Cooper. 
DEPARTMENTAL DIT- 
TIES. Kipling. 

DESCENT OF MAN. 

Darwin. 

DESPERATE REMEDIES. 

Hardy. 

DEVEREUX. Lytton. 

DIANA OF THE CROSS- 
WAYS. Meredith. 

DOCTOR RAMEAU. Ohnet. 
DOMBEY & SON. Dickens. 
DONOVAN. Lyall. 

DOROTHY’S DOUBLE. 

Henty. 

EAST LYNNE. Wood. 
ELSIE. Heimburg. 

ERNEST MALTRAVERS. 

Lytton. 

EUGENE ARAM. Lytton. 
EVOLUTION OP DODD. 

Smith. 


THE ANTIQUE LIBRARY. 


FAIR MAID OF PERTH. 

Scott. 

FAR FROM THE MAD- 
DING CROWD. Hardy. 
FIRST VIOLIN. Fothergill. 
FLOWER GIRL OF PARIS. 

Schobert. 

FLOWER OF FRANCE. 

Ryan. 

FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 

Scott. 

FROMONT, Jr. AND RIS- 
LER, Sr. Daudet. 

GLADIATORS. 

Whyte-Melville. 
GRAY AND THE BLUE. 

Roe. 

GREAT KEINPLATZ EX- 
PERIMENT. Doyle. 

GREEN MOUNTAIN 
BOYS. Thompson. 

GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES. 
GRIMM’S HOUSEHOLD 
TALES. 

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 

Swift. 

GUY MANNERING. Scott. 
HANDY ANDY. Lover. 
HANS OF ICELAND. 

Hugo. 

HAROLD. Lytton. 

HEART OF MIDLO- 
THIAN. Scott. 

HEIR OF LINNE. 

Buchanan. 

HEIR OF REDCLYFFE. 

Yonge. 

HORTENSE. Heimburg. 
HOUSE OF THE SEVEN 
GABLES. Hawthorne. 
HOUSE OF THE WOLF. 

Weyman. 

HOUSE PARTY. Ouida. 


HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE 
DAME. Hugo. 

HYPATIA. Kingsley. 

IN ALL SHADES. Allen. 
IN LOVE’S DOMAINS. 

Ryan. 

INTO MOROCCO. Loti. 
IRONMASTER. Ohnet. 
IRON PIRATE. Pemberton. 
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE 
TO MEND. Reade. 

IVANHOE. Scott. 

JANE EYRE. Bronte. 

JOHN HALIFAX, GEN- 
TLEMAN. Mulock. 

JOSEPH BALSAMO. 

Dumas. 

KARMA. Sinnett. 

KENELM CHILLINGLY. 

Lytton. 

KENILWORTH. Scott. 
KIDNAPPED. Stevenson. 
KINGS IN EXILE. Daudet. 
LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. 

Lytton. 

LAST OF THE MOHI- 
CANS. Cooper. 

LIGHT OF ASIA. Arnold. 
LIGHT THAT FAILED. 

Kipling. 

LORNA DOONE. 

Blackmore. 


LUCILE. Meredith. 

LUCRETIA. Lytton. 

MAN OF MARK. Hope. 
MAROONED. Russell. 


MARRIAGE AT SEA. 

Russell. 

MARTIN HEWITT. 

Morrison. 

MASTER OF BALLAN- 
TRAE. Stevenson, 


THE ANTIQUE LIBRA EV. 


MASTER OF THE MINE. 

Buchanan. 

MAYOR OF CASTER- 


BRIDGE. Hardy. 

MEMOIRS OF A PHYSI- 
CIAN. Dumas. 

MERZE. Ryan. 

MICAH CLARKE. Dovle. 
MICHAEL’S CRAG. 

Allen. 

MIDDLEMARCH. Eliot. 


MILL ON THE FLOSS. 

Eliot. 

MINE OWN PEOPLE AND 
IN BLACK AND WHITE. 

Kipling. 

MONASTERY, THE Scott. 
MRS. ANNIE GREEN. 

Read. 

MY LADY NICOTINE. 

Barrie, 

N E WCO M ES. Thackeray 

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. 

Dickens. 

NORTH AGAINST 
SOUTH. Verne. 

OLD MORTALITY. Scott. 
ONE OF THE FORTY. 

Daudet. 

ON THE HEIGHTS. 

Auerbach. 

ORIGIN OF SPECIES. 

Darwin. 

OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. 

Dickens. 


PAGAN OF THE ALLE- 
GHANIES. Ryan. 

PATH FINDER. Cooper. 
PAUL CLIFFORD. Lytton. 
PELHAM. Lytton. 

PERE GORIOT. Balzac. 


PHi^NTOM RICKSHAW. 

Kipling. 


PICKWICK PAPERS. 

Dickens. 

PILGRIMS OF THE 
RHINE. Lytton. 

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS. 

Bunyan. 

PIONEERS. Cooper. 

PIRATE. Scott. 

PLAIN TALES FROM THE 
HILLS. Kipling. 

PRAIRIE. Cooper. 

PRETTY MICHAL. Jokai. 
PRINCE OF THE HOUSE 
OF DAVID. Ingraham. 
QUENTIN DURWARD.. 

Scott. 

RED GAUNTLET. Scott. 
REPROACH OF ANNES- 
LEY. Grey. 

RETURN OF THE NA- 
TIVE. Hardy. 

RIENZI. Lytton. 

ROBINSON CRUSOE. 

Defoe. 

ROB ROY. Scott. 

ROMANCE OF TWO 
WORLDS. Corelli.-^ 

ROMOLA. Eliot. 

ST. RONAN’S WELL. 

Scott. 

SARCHEDON. 

Whyte-Melville. 
SCARLET LETTER. 

Hawthorne. 
SCOTT’S POEMS. Scott. 
SCOTTISH CHIEFS. Porter. 
SEA WOLVES. Pemberton. 
SHADOW OF A CRIME. 

Caine. 

SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH 
HER HUSBAND. 

Werner. 

SIGN OF THE FOUR. 

Doyle, 


THE ANTIQUE LIBRARY. 


SILENCE OF DEAN 
MAITLAND. Grey. 

SKETCH BOOK. Irving. 
SOLDIERS THREE. 

Kipling. 

SON OF HAGAR. Caine. 
SONG OF HIAWATHA. 

Longfellow. 
SQUAW ELOUISE. Ryan. 
STORY OF AN AFRICAN 
FARM. Schreiner. 

STRANGE STORY. Lytton. 
STRONGER .THAN 
DEATH. Gautier. 

STUDY IN SCARLET. 

Doyle. 

STUDY OF GENIUS. 

Royse. * 

SURGEON’S DAUGHTER. 

Scott. 

SWISS FAMILY ROBIN- 


SON. Wyss. 

TALE OF TWO CITIES. 

Dickens. 

TALES FROM SHAKES- 
PEARE. Lamb. 

TALISMAN. Scott. 

THADDEUS OF WAR- 
SAW. Porter. 

THELMA. Corelli. 


THREE MEN IN A BOAT. 

Jerome. 


TOILERS OF THE SEA. 

Hugo. 

TOLD IN THE HILLS. 

Ryan. 

TOM BROWN AT OX- 
FORD. Hughes. 

TOM BROWN’S SCHOOL 
DAYS. Hughes. 

TREASURE ISLAND. 

Stevenson. 

UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. 

Stowe. 

UNDER THE DEODARS 
AND STORY OF THE 
GADSBYS. Kipling. 

UNDER TWO FLAGS . 

Ouida. 

UP TERRAPIN RIVER. 

Read. 

VANITY FAIR. Thackeray. 
VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. 

Goldsmith. 
WAVERLY Scott. 

WEE WILLIE WINKIE. 

Kipling. 

WESTWARD HO. Kingsley. 
WE TWO. Lyall. 

WHAT’S BRED IN THE 
BONE. Allen. 

WHITE COMPANY. Doyle. 
WOODLANDERS. Hardy. 
WOODSTOCK. Scott. 

ZANONI. Lytton. 



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